The Question is….

Robert Van Salibury w/Buddy, Hazlet – I’d go to bed, just like last time. The only different thing I’d do is get a natural gas generator installed. I’m going to do that. In Hazlet, the flood gate and the berm saved us. They also pumped the creeks and lakes dry.

Chas Babilya, Wanamassa – I’d make sure I had a big generator with plenty of gasoline. I’d cut down all the trees around the house. Don’t park in a low lying area or under a tree.

Sara Bowman, Ocean Grove – If I heard a giant storm was coming again this time, I think I might evacuate. The last time I had friends call and ask me to evacuate and tell me this was a storm like I’ve never seen. But I have faith and I’m a spiritual advisor. I listened to myself intellectually and psychically and I thought I would be alright and I was. But I do believe in global warming and storms are going to get worse, so I probably would evacuate.

Donna Connelly, Brick & Wayne Scot Lukas, Spring Lake – Donna: I was in Staten Island, and got a lot of wind damage from Sandy. I found out you can actually use your hybrid car as a generator for 2 weeks on one tank of gas. Enough power to run a TV and a computer. I think people were complacent because of Irene. People didn’t take it seriously. Now I’m very prepared. The most important thing is to take the warnings seriously. And if they say to get out – get out. Wayne: You have to stay acutely aware of your neighbors and who you can reach out to for help. I’ve been working with my neighbors stockpiling. I’m prepared to stay now, but I think i would leave if the predictions were dire. The truth of the matter is we are not stronger than the storm.

Nicole Fierro & John Drelick, Neptune – The first thing we would do is make sure the dogs were in the house and safe. We’d bring in the outside furniture. Nicole would go to the beach and watch the storm come in. And John thinks he would have to find another roommate after that.

Debra Gerstenfeld, Asbury Park – I was in Puerto Rico when Sandy passed, the TV said it was headed to New Jersey. I came home a day early. I was living in Highlands. I moved to higher ground. I put my valuables upstairs. I stayed. I trusted it was going to be ok. The water started coming in. It came very fast. It was over the kitchen counter. Then it went, and I went to bed. I went with the flow.

Gary Huizenga, Ocean Grove – I’d definitely buy a generator. That’s about it. We were fine in Ocean Grove. The only issue for me during Sandy was the lack of electricity.

Miguel Maldonado, Asbury Park – First of all, in my situation, I would need to get a head start, I’m disabled. I would seek shelter inland early. If it was that type of storm. Last time I hunkered down. I spend 8 or 9 days without utilities. I had a hard time, but I came out strong.

Nicole Nies, Pure Juice – I would make sure we had candles and flashlight batteries. I’d have non-perishable foods in stock. And firewood. The last storm we used the fireplace to keep warm. We had enough wood. That was important, we all stayed in one room.

Marie Aguilar & Jose Ramos, Neptune – We would go away from the water and rent a room somewhere safe. Durng Sandy we stayed in our home. But if another storm like that came we’d leave. God will protect us.

Greg Scott, Asbury Park – I’d make sure I had enough batteries, enough water, candles and canned goods. I’d secure the property. And then I’d hope for the best. We were out of power with Sandy, but we had gas – so we cooked with gas. We made it ok.

Eva Sipos, Asbury Park – Well, I would try to stock up on candles, flashlights and batteries. I’d make sure I had a good radio. I would say the basics. If the power were to go out again, there’s nothing to do. There’s nothing to do but sit around the table and have dinner with friends by candlelight. That’s what we did last time. I’d definitely buy more batteries and flashlights. And candles.

George Tomes, Ocean – The first thing I would do is go out and get a generator. I was without electric for quite a while, but we managed to get a generator. Fill the car with gas and secure the yard, to keep things from blowing around. Stock up on the essentials, what we call the french toast stuff: bread, milk and eggs.