'It is time to move,' Christie says
Gov. Christie is warning those still on the barrier islands of Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean Counties: "You have to get out. The weather is good today. It's sunny. It is time to move."
'It is time to move,' Christie says
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
Gov. Christie is warning those still on the barrier islands of Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean Counties: "You have to get out. The weather is good today. It's sunny. It is time to move."
Christie offered these updates: Tolls have been suspended on southern parts of the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway...Casinos will close as of noon tomorrow...Motor Vehicle Commission offices in counties on the Shore will close and grant extensions to drivers with expired licenses...About 1,300 inmates from Southwoods State Prison will be moved overnight...Sunday move-in dates have been delayed for Rutgers University...NJ Transit buses and possibly school buses will be used to take those without transportation, particularly in Atlantic City, to safer ground...Flood gates have been lowered...Nuclear facilities will close...Hundreds of New Jersey National Guardsmen have been called up...
And highways going to the Shore will be running one way: Away from the ocean.
"So for some reason if you were thinking about going to dinner in Atlantic City tonight forget it, you're going somewhere else," he said.
Christie spoke with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for advice today, he said, and also took a conference call with President Obama, several governors, major city mayors like Philly Mayor Nutter, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Christie expressed contempt for those "dopes" on TV who believe Hurricane Irene will just be a bad thunderstorm, and said there will "most likely" be record flooding next week.
"This is not like anything you’ve seen before," he said.
Those with pets are often reluctant to evacuate during such situations, so Christie said the administration is working on getting animal shelters to allow pet owners to temporarily board their pets while they evacuate.
"In my mind you can't use that as an excuse to put human life at risk, but we're going to try to do what we can to accommodate those folks," he said. "Staying with their pets is not going to save their life."
This is the governor's second press conference in 24 hours, and those who frame his political image undoubtedly hope this wipes away memories from last Christmas, when both he and his lieutenant governor were on vacation during a blizzard that featured poor plowing of major roadways.
Christie should let everyone borrow his private helicopter to evacuate!— phillyfanboy- Hate the messenger, but listen to the message.....dope— nuggett
- Former SW Philly guy living in FLA now.
Feel bad for you guys, and not laughing at you (well, I am laughing at those big-mouthed NY snowbirds down here).
Looks like you're likely to get a "wet one" instead of a more "windy one", since is moving so slowly and may just sit on top of you dumping rain.
It's like being under a loud, wet lawnmower for 6-7 hours.
CASH IS KING since ATM's and Credit Card readers may be out for days with no electricity...so hit those ATM's now.
I always thought the worst part of a hurricane are the many DAYS AFTER it's over with no electricity or water (that is, if you're on an electric water pump or well).
Good luck to all, be safe --- go Phils !!!!— BustedUpGrunt - Will Cuomo be doing the same with his chopper for NY'rs fanboy?— TomM
- Too bad NAgin and that former LA gov did not sond like this guy and give warnings. Those 2 in LA really did an awful job of warning people to get out and calling in for a National Disaster.— uandwhosearmy
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
