OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Heatwaves are expected to happen more often and for longer periods of time by 2050. Heatwaves act as a threat multiplier. High temperatures put stress on the cardiovascular system, as the body works harder to cool itself down. Heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion increase with heat waves. 

People most at risk for heat-related illness:  

• People older than 65
• Outdoor workers  
• Infants and children 
• People who live alone 
• People without air conditioning 
• People with chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and respiratory disease) 
• People on certain medications 

Learn more about extreme heat from Heat Hub NJ 

Stay hydrated

When working or being active in the heat, drink about one quart of water per hour or one cup every 15 minutes. Drink more water than usual and drink before you get thirsty. Avoid alcohol or liquids that have high amounts of sugar and/or caffeine. It is also important to eat regular meals that replace salt lost from sweating.

Beware of hot cars.

Never leave children, people with disabilities, elderly persons, or pets in a parked car, even for a short time. On an 80⁰F day, the temperature inside a car can reach 100⁰F in less than 10 minutes.

Know the heat index
The National Weather Service provides heat alerts which are based mainly on the heat index. The heat index takes into account heat and humidity and measures what the temperature feels like to the human body. Example: A temperature of 90°F and relative humidity of 80% will “feel” like 113°F.

Heat Index Chart

Learn more about heat alerts and heat index from the National Weather Service

Learn more about preventing heat-related illness from the NJ Department of Health

Find places to escape the heat on Chill Out NJ

As the climate warms, New Jersey’s annual precipitation is expected to continue to increase. Variations in precipitation related to climate change will lead to damage to critical infrastructure which can prolong recovery. This includes the damage or disruption of water infrastructure, flooding, and power loss.  

In addition to increases in annual precipitation, climate change is also likely to affect the intensity and duration of weather events. In New Jersey, severe weather typically includes coastal nor’easters, snowstorms, spring and summer thunderstorms, tropical storms, and on rare occasions tornadoes and hurricanes. These have the potential to be more intense than those seen during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Learn more about Wireless Emergency Alerts from the National Weather Service

Learn more about emergency preparedness from U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Learn more about how to react to alerts and warnings from U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Learn about other ways to stay informed from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management 

Climate change can create conditions that cause harmful algal blooms (HABs) to occur more often in freshwater bodies. They discolor the water, frequently turning the water a green, blue-green, red, brown, or murky color. They look like “spilled paint” and can often be toxic to people, pets and wildlife. When HABs get bad, they can close beaches and impact drinking water utilities. HABs can be caused by water pollutants, such as nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorous) and are worsened by climate change. 

Learn tips to prevent water pollution that may help cause HABs from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Learn tips to prevent illness from HABs in pets and people from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Report a suspected HAB or view sampling status for water bodies in NJ

Higher temperatures increase the energy in storms and allow the atmosphere to hold more water, which increases the potential for more intense precipitation and flooding. By the end of the 21st century, heavy storm events are projected to occur 200 to 500% more often and with more intensity than in the 20th century 

In addition, New Jersey’s sea-level rise is about twice the global average. Coastal communities are flooding, beaches are vanishing and ecosystems – even cities and towns – are threatened. Over the next 30 years, homes within a low or moderate flood risk area five times more likely to experience flooding than a house fire.   

FEMA declared in 2004 that flooding is NJ’s #1 natural hazard.

Don’t drive through flood waters 

Each year, flooding causes more fatalities than any other thunderstorm-related hazard. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of all drownings related to floods happen when a vehicle is driven into dangerous floodwaters. 

Learn about Turn Around Don’t Drown® from the National Weather Service 

Understand local factors that can change the extent of flooding: 

• Increases in impervious surface 
• Changes to stream flow 
• Erosion and blockages in stream channels
• Aging, poorly maintained, or failing infrastructure
  

Understand your flood risk

To identify POTENTIAL flood risk on or near your property, use DEP’s Flood Indicator Tool 

To determine ACTUAL flood risk for at given property, contact: 

• A licensed professional engineer 
• Your municipality 
• DEP’s Division of Land Resource Protection 

Infectious diseases spread by arthropods, insects and microbial contamination of food and water supplies are expected to become more prevalent as climate change increases the environmental conditions that are more favorable for the spread of certain regional pathogens. Diseases carried by ticks and mosquitoes are the most common, with infections caused by a tick bite at an all-time high. In New Jersey, infections transmitted by ticks have surpassed those transmitted by mosquitoes significantly and show a persistent increase in recent years. 

Prevent getting bitten by ticks and mosquitoes, practice these tips: 

• Use insect repellant recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency 
• Wear light-colored clothing so you can spot ticks and mosquitoes  
• Tuck pants into boots or socks  
• Avoid potentially tick-infested habitats such as tall grass and shrubs
• Dump standing water around your yard – standing water promotes mosquito breeding

Learn how to prevent tick bites and mosquito bites from US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

In the NJ Pine Barrens and across the state, climate change has caused rising temperatures and prolonged dry spells. Our forests and grasslands are more likely to ignite during these dry conditions. As 99% of forest fires in New Jersey are human-caused, a careless act can burn thousands of acres. The increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires poses great risk to human life, wildlife and property. 

Always be careful with fire
As 99% of forest fires in New Jersey are human-caused, a careless act can burn thousands of acres. 

• Never play with matches or lighters 
• Always watch your campfire 
• Make sure your campfire is completely out before leaving it 

Make your home “Firewise” 

• Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers 
• Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration 
• Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers 
• Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows 
• Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating 
• Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn 
• Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches 

Ten tips to prevent wildfires from U.S. Department of the Interior 
Learn more ways to protect your home from wildfire from the NJ Forest Service  

Respiratory and cardiovascular health problems and a greater number of premature deaths are likely to increase as air pollution is exacerbated by climate change. And while air quality in New Jersey has improved significantly over time, there are still days when certain pollutants in the air are elevated to levels that may affect public health. Increased air pollution can aggravate chronic conditions, such as asthma, COPD and cardiovascular diseases, and increase the incidence of lung cancer.

Furthermore, extreme heat can worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, as heat combined with humidity (both predicted to increase in New Jersey) can make it more difficult to breathe. Additionally, air pollution, particularly ground level ozone which forms in the presence of direct sunlight and heat tends to be more concentrated during heat waves, exacerbating respiratory issues.

New Jerseyans enjoy being outside, whether its exercising, playing sports, landscaping or visiting local attractions. On days when air pollutants are elevated to unhealthy levels, there are certain actions we can take to reduce the impact to our health, especially sensitive individuals with asthma, heart/lung problems, children and teens, and the elderly.

Reduce your exposure when air quality levels are elevated

Limit outdoor activities when air quality is considered poor and unhealthy, especially for sensitive individuals. Also delay mowing your lawn until air quality is healthy.

Help improve air quality

• Do not idle vehicles for more than 3 minutes. It is the law in NJ, with limited exceptions.
• Refuel your vehicle at night and stop refueling your vehicle when the nozzle clicks off.
• Choose a cleaner way to commute such as carpooling, riding your bike, or using public transportation.

Sign up for air quality alerts
Sign up for air quality forecasts and you will be notified about your local air quality conditions. An Ozone Action Day is declared when the EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI) predicts that ground-level ozone levels will be unhealthy for sensitive groups. AQI provides guidelines and recommendations for outdoor physical activity. Adjust level of outdoor activity based on air quality.

Sign up for email with air quality forecasts from the Environmental Protection Agency
You can also download the Apple or Andriod apps.

Visit “What’s in My Community” tool to view ozone, fine particulate matter and air permits.

Water supplies will be stressed from the increase in the growing season and extreme temperatures expected due to climate change. Droughts may occur more frequently with expected changes in precipitation patterns. It is anticipated that droughts lasting three to six months and longer may slightly increase in frequency in the northeastern United States under a low-emissions scenario and will significantly increase under a high-emissions scenario. The Department is evaluating projected impacts to water supplies with climate change considerations in its Statewide Water Supply Plan.

Conserve water and prepare for drought conditions

Efficient water use in non-drought times may prevent the need for water restrictions during dry, hot weather.

• Only water plants in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
• Raise your lawnmower blade to at least 3 inches to promote deeper grass roots which hold water better.
• Use native plants that need less water.
• Mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and weeds.
• Water flowers and landscaping with water harvested in a rain barrel connected to a downspout.

Learn more water conservation tips for around your home