Personal safety should be the top priority for all residents until the storm subsides, said Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-Monmouth County, Ocean County).

    “This looks like it could be the megastorm of our lifetime,” said Smith, who represents some of the hardest-hit areas of the Jersey Shore in Monmouth and Ocean Counties where the eye of Hurricane Sandy is expected to make landfall today.  “It may be worse than Donna, Ivan, Floyd, Irene—or any other storm we’ve faced. We hope it won’t be as bad as we fear, but residents should take no chances. Stay off the road, stay indoors and stay safe.”

    When the danger has passed, residents and businesses should document structural property damage for the purposes of filing insurance claims or applying for government assistance.

    “Documenting damage is very important,” Smith said. “If you can do so safely, take pictures of water damage and wind damage, and keep pertinent receipts from repair work. Collecting and keeping this type of information can be essential down the road.”

    Smith has a hurricane information page with links to federal, state and local information on his website at http://chrissmith.house.gov/hurricane/ which will be maintained until well after the hurricane is gone and recovery is underway. It will be regularly updated with information about seeking federal assistance such as that offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.