New Jersey Statutes Appendix A. Emergency and Temporary Acts § 9-43.16

a. Severe weather conditions, such as hurricanes and nor'easters, are detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of New Jersey residents and businesses because of their resulting loss of life, damage to property, and unsanitary conditions.

b. Protection of the State's infrastructure is a matter of utmost urgency and should be accomplished through comprehensive regional planning, regulation, and coordination between the State and county offices of emergency management to establish a storm preparedness program designed to protect the areas of the State which are most vulnerable to storm damage.

c. It is therefore in the public interest to take measures to prevent, or at least minimize, loss of life and property damage by ensuring that the counties most vulnerable to severe weather conditions are identified and that necessary precautions are taken by the State Office of Emergency Management and each county and municipal emergency management agency to protect the public from the potential dangers and losses attributable to storm damage.