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Jersey Shore Amusement Operators Prep For Hurricane Joaquin Gov Declares State of Emergency

September 30, 2015 | Hank Schlesinger and Nick Montano

TAGS: coin-op news, vending, Hurricane Joaquin, amusement operator, Jersey Shore, Kimberle R. Samarelli, New Jersey Amusement Association, arcade industry, New Jersey State of Emergency

Update [7 a.m., Oct. 2] |NEW TRACK:Joaquin is lashing the Bahamas as a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane, but appears to be on track to head out to sea afterward, likely missing the East Coast altogether, while another storm system is poised to slide up the coast even sooner and soak the tri-state over the weekend.

THE JERSEY SHORE -- Oct. 1 -- While computer models of Hurricane Joaquin's projected track vary, New Jersey is not taking any chances. With the memory of 2012's devastating Superstorm Sandy still fresh, operators up and down the Jersey Shore are taking precautions: boarding up buildings, and moving rides and arcade games to safe locations.

"Preparations started today, Thursday, and there will be more moving forward," said Kimberle R. Samarelli, the New Jersey Amusement Association's executive director. "Many of the businesses have closed for the weekend. We're all busy preparing the best we can."

According to local reports, communities are working closely with state agencies to build up protective dunes along the shoreline to withstand of storm surges that could reach between eight and 10 feet by Oct. 4.

The state government is also preparing. This morning, Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency, stating:

"There are two concerns for New Jersey coming out of the next four days of weather. The immediate threat is for severe flooding on Friday and Saturday, the second is tracking the path of Hurricane Joaquin as those forecasts become clearer over the next 24 to 72 hours. Whether or not Joaquin is a direct issue for New Jersey by Monday, we know that there is definitely going to be moderate and likely to be major flooding events in south Jersey on Friday and Saturday, with 5 to 6 inches of rainfall expected to come over those two days."

The governor said that the communities along Delaware Bay in Salem and Cumberland counties and the coastal areas in Atlantic and Cape May counties are at most risk. His executive order declaring a state of emergency gives New Jersey's emergency management agencies a leg up on responding.

While the anxiety level along the New Jersey coastline may be high, residents are not panicking. "What we learned from Sandy is how important it is to prepare," said Samarelli. "You can't wait for the last minute, you need to start four or five days ahead of time. It's always better to be safe than sorry."

HEAVY WEATHER: This satellite image by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows the extent of Hurricane Joaquin. With computer models varying, the storm has proved stubbornly unpredictable. One model that stands out from the rest predicts Joaquin will never turn toward the U.S. coastline -- and it's the same one that predicted Superstorm Sandy's drive into the New Jersey shore.

Chance Favors Only The Prepared Operator:
Below are photos of the famed Seaside Heights Boardwalk and Casino Beach Pier, under heavy cloud cover, taken by NJAA's Kimberle R. Samarelli around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1. Computer models vary as to the hurricane's route, but New Jersey operators along the shore are taking no chances. Rides and games have been moved to safety and businesses boarded up.

Jersey Shore arcade, Seaside Heights