Gov. Christie: Make sure you have a plan for flooding

Christie declared a state of emergency Thursday because of the storms and canceled presidential campaign events for Friday in New Hampshire so he could be in New Jersey to direct the emergency response.

“We didn’t wait (for another storm)”, he said.

“Instead we have a stalled frontal boundary that’s draped just off the east coast, and a wave of low pressure is riding along that stalled boundary and its bringing us a few showers already”.

Gov. Chris Christie said the shore can rest a bit easier now that the hurricane is projected to head out to sea instead of striking the coast. “We do see the hurricane being category four for the next couple of days”.

“I hope people understand now why I’ve been as assertive and, at times, as angry as I’ve been at a few of the selfish opposition”, Christie said Thursday.

While some find themselves scrambling to prepare for the next few days of severe weather, Gonnelli said Secaucus learned lessons from Sandy and is much more better prepared for this storm.

He said that he would consider evacuations in New Jersey if necessary.

On top of that, the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA), with the assistance of Department of Public Works and Jersey City Incinerator Authority personnel, are clearing catch basins of debris in advance of the expected heavy rains for the next several days.

“While the exact trajectory and intensity of the storm are still unknown, OEM is cautioning residents that significant rainfall, flooding, high winds and power outages are possible for the area”.

On the potential effects from Joaquin, Cifelli said that one to three inches of rain are expected by the end of the weekend throughout the state.

Speaking at a press conference Friday on the approach of Hurricane Joaquin – which now appears to be headed out to sea and away from the New Jersey coastline – Christie unleashed a few of his harshest criticism to date of property owners whose refusal to sign easements has prevented dunes from being built in several spots.