Since Hurricane Sandy, diocesan officials and parishes that sustained extreme damage in that storm have been working to reduce flood exposure at campuses such as St. Denis, Manasquan.

So, well before the first flakes of the anticipated blizzard/nor'easter were expected in Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer and Burlington counties, the diocesan risk management team asked pastors to ensure that all precautions were underway to mitigate damage, especially in coastal areas such as Manasquan where high winds and storm surges were expected.

According to a diocesan advisory, those precautions included: securing all outdoor items that could become projectiles in a blizzard; checking rain gutters and down spouts and making sure they were clear of debris; preparing for snow removal and the possible loss of power.

And, in the case of St. Denis, where damage from the 2012 event had been severe, it also included setting the wheels in motion to install portable, steel, flood barricade panels to keep flood waters at bay.

That being the case, at St. Denis, Jan. 22, Father William J. Lago, the pastor, kept a watchful eye on the computer, tracking the storm throughout the afternoon and checking out the portable barricade panels along with Michael Pindar, custodial manager of the parish, to make sure all was in readiness if the panels were needed.

Should conditions call for it, the panels were to be installed at 11 potential points of entry at the school which flooded badly during Hurricane Sandy. The panels were designed to protect the building from flood levels expected in a serious event.

Father Lago explained that while St. Denis School closed in June, the building is in constant use. Religious education programs meet there weekly, Monday through Thursday. Sometimes, there are two sessions a day, he said. And the gymnasium is rented by the Borough of Manasquan for its recreation program.

More to come on this story.