The documents show the state is concerned that the number of Haitians could exceed the capacity of community groups and require state government to meet their medical, educational, housing and other needs.

By mid-February, the documents say, more commercial flights carrying Haitians holding U.S. visas are expected to arrive in the United States, and many of the refugees will be seeking to join relatives in New Jersey.

The documents gave no specific estimate of how many Haitians would come to New Jersey. But the potential seems clear. The state has the fourth-largest Haitian population in the country, with nearly 57,000 New Jersey residents born in Haiti or of Haitian ancestry. Most of them live in Essex and Union counties.

"Because of the Haitian population base in New Jersey, the potential for family connections to victims is apparent," according to the documents. "The tilting point of supporting educational, social and cultural requirements by New Jersey's Haitian community for an increasing number of visa-holding Haitians could be exceeded at some point. ...It is prudent for the state to plan for a surge."