Maple Field revisited : Does better Drainage simply push flooding down stream ?
August 11,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, During the original debate over the turfing of Maple Field residents and this blog raised concerns over field drainage and where the run off was actually going to go going to .
file photo by Boyd Loving
The REAC issued a study claiming : “Perhaps the most important environmental benefit at Maple Park is the improvement of the storm water runoff management in the flood plain (this will be discussed in more detail on page 21). According to the Department of Parks and Recreation’s records,the peak storm water runoff into the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook was reduced over 95% for a “2-year storm” event and over 94% for a “ 10-year storm” event.In fact, today the peak runoff in a “10-year storm” event is 72% lower than it was for a “2-year storm” event with the previous non-engineered natural grass surface and water capture/drainage system . (https://ridgewoodreac.com/REAC%20Synthetic%20Turf%20Assessment%20FINAL-2.pdf) “
Several readers have since wondered if with the addition of the turf at Maple, the turf at Stevens and RHS Stadium are we simply over whelming the HoHo Kus Brooks ability to carry water down stream , especially given that the Village is not the only town with turf fields along the its banks .
“Ridgewood uses lessons from Irene to prepare for Sandy” , a bit early for back slapping November 4,2012 the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Many resident felt it was a bit over the top and premature for the Village to be patting it self on the back while some many residents didn’t have power,heat or hot water .
The Ridgewood Police got high marks for everything except for the “ticket frenzy ” . The use of Facebook to put out information received many kudos.
The Village however failed a basic test when power failed at Office of Emergency Management, Village Hall and Village Police Department . Old time residents remarked thankfully we did not have too much rain or flooding because all of the Village’s first responders are still located in flood zones .
Residents also need to understand the Village given how well it fared during Sandy was not going to be Governor Christie or PSE&G ‘s most pressing priority . Take a drive down to Bay Head and you will see what I mean. The Village was very lucky that the CBD was lights on and so many neighbors and local institutions pitched in to help out
The town attracted visitors from all over North Jersey and as far as Hoboken .People came not only to warm up ,and charge their batteries but also to get a hot cup of coffee and a good meal .The Village seemed to make a good impression on everyone who came to visit and I think many local merchants may continue to get business as an after affect from all the good will.
Many remarked how the Village leave crew hustled and yes even the Ridgewood blog will admit it the BOE and particularly Dr. Fishbien really stepped up .The Village Council and Village Officials also should be commended for just like the article says being prepared !
But folks this is not the time to for photo ops and back slapping many residents in the tri-state area are still without power and face a far more daunting situation than almost any of us could imagine . , it best to take a little time out just to remember how lucky we all are. RIDGEWOOD NEWS: Ridgewood uses lessons from Irene to prepare for Sandy
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
As Hurricane Sandy’s predicted impact and damage quickly became reality, Ridgewood officials were thankful that they applied lessons learned from last year’s extreme weather conditions to preparations for this October’s super storm.
Debris is cleared from the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy. The village was hit hard by flooding during last year’s Hurricane Irene, but was spared any water damage from Hurricane Sandy.
Emergency response teams, led by Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Jeremy Kleiman, began their hurricane preparation plans in the middle of last week, several days before Sandy was expected to hit landfall. The OEM held meetings with all village department heads on Friday and offered specific instructions and details of what to do and what to expect.
Outage update: We are making steady progress. In three days, we have restored service to more than 1 million PSE&G customers following Hurricane Sandy. The storm impacted 1.7 million of PSE&G’s 2.2 million electric customers. We’ve also increased the stability of our transmission system to ensure that the high-voltage lines can deliver the power.
Our estimate is that we will have virtually all of our impacted customers restored to service within the coming week. The majority of customers will be restored before then. After Nov. 9, there may still be isolated pockets of customers who have individual flooding or downed line issues that may take slightly longer.
The storm surge flooded a large number of substations along the Passaic, Hackensack and Hudson rivers, and the Arthur Kill, disrupting service to customers in Hudson, Essex and Middlesex counties. The magnitude of the flooding in contiguous areas is unprecedented. PSE&G had to take these stations out of service, wait for the flood waters to recede to assess the damage, dry out the equipment, replace equipment when necessary and re-energize the system to restore service. We continue to make progress on the substations affected by flood waters from the tidal surge. This is a painstaking process to thoroughly clean the equipment so that it can be safely re-energized.
The total number of people who have come from other states to assist is now more than 2,000. This includes additional line personnel, tree crews and substation operators.
PSE&G’s key areas of focus are:
• Repairing our damaged switching stations and substations in Hudson and Essex Counties so we
can energize them and deliver the power to customers.
• Gas refineries – We have restored power to the Conoco Phillips and Buckeye Pipeline gas
refineries. We are making progress on restoring the other two refineries that we serve in the area.
• Gas stations – We are working with the NJ Gasoline Service Association to identify gas stations
that have the commodity, but need power restored to get the gas flowing.
• Overhead infrastructure – We continue to clear trees, debris and downed wires from state, county and municipal roadways so we can begin repairing overhead infrastructure in Bergen and Passaic
Counties.
Christie Administration Announces Restoration of Limited Rail Service to Newark on Friday
Christie Administration Announces Restoration of Limited Rail Service to Newark on Friday
Northeast Corridor Service to Operation on a Special Schedule Between Trenton and Newark Penn Station
North Jersey Coast Line Service to Operate Between Woodbridge and Newark Penn Station
Raritan Valley Line Service to Operate Between Raritan and Newark
Trenton, NJ – The Christie Administration announced the restoration of limited rail service on three of NJ TRANSIT’s rail lines starting Friday, November 2, as part of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to restore NJ TRANSIT service as soon as it becomes possible. This service restoration includes service along three lines: Northeast Corridor service between Trenton Transit Center and Newark Penn Station, North Jersey Coast Line service between Woodbridge and Newark Penn Station, and Raritan Valley Line service between Raritan and Newark Penn Station. A special schedule will be posted on njtransit.com by 7:00 p.m. this evening.
“As the backbone of the NJ TRANSIT rail system, the restoration of Northeast Corridor service is a significant step in providing a level of service to NJ TRANSIT’s customers,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Simpson. “Our work is far from done, as we still face a number of operational challenges, but we will continue working tirelessly to further restore service where we can safely do so.”
Service to Penn Station New York will resume following Amtrak’s restoration of the Hudson River Tunnels and it’s signal system is complete.On Thursday, November 1, NJ TRANSIT restored the majority of bus service throughout the state, operating full service on 68 bus routes in northern New Jersey and 18 bus routes in southern New Jersey, and restoring partial service on 58 bus routes in northern New Jersey and 17 routes in southern New Jersey. Also on Thursday, River Line service was restored between the Trenton Transit Center and the Entertainment Center in Camden, operating on a Sunday schedule. Limited Access Link paratransit service resumed operation as well.
NJ TRANSIT is advising customers of the following:
Rail Service:
Northeast Corridor: On Friday, November 2, service will resume between Trenton Transit Center and Newark Penn Station, operating on a special schedule.
North Jersey Coast Line: On Friday, November 2, service will resume between Woodbridge and Newark Penn Station, operating on a special schedule. Rail service between Bay Head and Woodbridge remains suspended. An assessment of rail infrastructure has revealed significant damage across the system, including:
Morgan Drawbridge in South Amboy sustained damage from boats and a trailer that collided into the bridge.
There are wires and trees down, as well as rail washouts (no ballast under the tracks), between South Amboy and Bay Head.
Raritan Valley Line: On Friday, November 2, service will resume between Raritan and Newark Penn Station only, operating on a special schedule. Rail service between High Bridge and Raritan remains suspended.
Morris & Essex, Montclair-Boonton, Main/Bergen and Atlantic City Rail lines: Service remains suspended. An assessment of rail infrastructure has revealed significant damage across the system, including:
There is major damage due to downed trees between Summit and Millburn, as well as in Denville and Morristown. There is also overhead wire damage, including signal wires, with support poles down in Lyons and Bernardsville. In addition, rail washouts (no ballast under the tracks) occurred at Kearny Junction, where Midtown Direct service connects to the Northeast Corridor. Rail washouts also occurred at several tracks in Hoboken Terminal and at Netcong Station.
Elsewhere on the rail system, local power outages have prevented NJ TRANSIT rail operations from being able to further test crossing gates and operating signals. In addition, hundreds of downed trees have fallen across the rail system, which have caused damage to overhead wires and signal wires. Several rail stations have sustained flood damage, including Hoboken Terminal.
Bus Service:
Bus service is operating on 68 bus routes in northern New Jersey and 18 bus routes in southern New Jersey, providing service over the entire routes with no detours or truncations. For a complete list, visit njtransit.com.
Partial service is operating on 58 bus routes in northern New Jersey and 17 routes in southern New Jersey, with detours or truncations due to ongoing impacts from Hurricane Sandy. For details, visit njtransit.com
Bus service on routes not listed remains suspended until further notice. Power outages in local communities have resulted in the loss of traffic control devices critical to safe operation in some areas. Downed tree limbs and power lines continue to make many roads impassable. Personnel are in the field reviewing and assessing these conditions in order to ensure that service is restored as soon as it becomes safe to do so.
Light Rail Service:
River Line is operating on a Sunday schedule between Trenton Transit Center and the Entertainment Center in Camden.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and Newark Light Rail service will remain suspended until further notice. There is currently no estimated time for resumption of service. An assessment of rail infrastructure has revealed significant damage across the system, including:
Newark Light Rail sustained flooding in Newark Penn Station, as well as major debris damage between Newark Penn and Branch Brook Park stations.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail experienced track washouts at Port Imperial and West Side Avenue stations, as well as trees in the overhead wire in Weehawken and flooding in Hoboken.
Access Link:
Access Link service is operating in the following regions:
Region 2, which includes Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.
Region 3, which includes Atlantic, Cape May and Southern Ocean County.
PSE&G : 10 Days till full Restoration ,but Majority of Customers will be Restored before then
Our best forecast as of now is that we will have virtually all of our impacted customers restored to service within the next seven to 10 days. THE MAJORITY OF CUSTOMERS WILL BE RESTORED BEFORE THEN. There may still be isolated pockets of customers who have individual flooding or downed line issues that may take slightly longer.
OUTAGE UPDATE: At this time approximately 1 million PSE&G customers have had their power restored following Hurricane Sandy. About 716,000 customers are currently without power. The storm impacted 1.7 million of PSE&G’s 2.2 million electric customers.
Our crews work to restore power to the largest numbers of customers first, taking into account “priority customers” such as hospitals, police and fire stations, water and sewer facilities, communications facilities (TV, radio and telephone), and customers on life-sustaining medical equipment (See graphic illustration below). If someone in your family relies on life-sustaining medical equipment, it is important to let the utility know as soon as the equipment is installed. We then focus on restoring power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits with the largest numbers of customers.
PSE&G storm update – Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 11:30 a.m.
November 1 2012
–Outage update: At this time approximately 950,000 PSE&G customers have had their power restored following Hurricane Sandy. About 781,000 customers are currently without power. The storm impacted 1.7 million of PSE&G’s 2.2 million electric customers.
— Our best forecast as of now is that we will have virtually all of our impacted customers restored to service within the next seven to 10 days. The majority of customers will be restored before then. There may still be isolated pockets of customers who have individual flooding or downed line issues that may take slightly longer.
— The storm surge flooded a large number of substations along the Passaic, Hackensack and Hudson rivers, and the Arthur Kill, disrupting service to customers in Hudson, Essex and Middlesex counties. The magnitude of the flooding in contiguous areas is unprecedented. PSE&G had to take these stations out of service, wait for the flood waters to recede to assess the damage, dry out the equipment, replace equipment when necessary and re-energize the system to restore service. We continue to make progress on the substations affected by flood waters from the tidal surge. This is a painstaking process to thoroughly clean the equipment so theta it can be safely re-energized.
— PSE&G has assembled a “virtual army” of over 1,730 technicians – 600 PSE&G workers and 1,050 workers from across the country — plus an additional 600 contractors to cut and remove trees. We continue to secure whatever resources become available to us from other utilities; additional crews from the Midwest are arriving this afternoon.
— Many of the outages were caused by falling trees and limbs, which bring down power lines. Downed wires should always be considered “live.” STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with. To report a downed wire and other visible equipment damage, call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street.
— To report a power outage, call PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG.
PSE&G is distributing free ice and water to customers without power at the following locations on a first come, first served basis between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm:
Elizabeth Customer Service Center, 550 N. Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
West Orange Customer Service Center, 59 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052
Paramus Park Mall 700 Paramus Park Paramus, NJ 07652 Next To Macy’s behind the Crown Plaza
Burlington Customer Service Center (PSE&G lot across the street from CSC), 501 High Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
— Customers with wells are advised to have a supply of bottled drinking water on hand, and should fill the bathtub with water for sanitary purposes.
— Crews work around the clock to repair equipment and restore power. The utility’s call center also has been fully staffed on a 24-hour basis to handle calls from customers. Other employees are assisting with assessing storm damage, keeping the public away from any downed power lines and other functions that support restoration efforts.
— Electric crews work to restore power to the largest numbers of customers first, taking into account “priority” customers, such as hospitals, police stations, fire stations, water and sewer facilities, communications facilities (TV, radio, and telephone), and customers on life-sustaining medical equipment. At the same time, the utility restores power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits serving the largest number of customers.
NJ TRANSIT Restores Majority of Bus and Access Link Routes in New Jersey
Customers advised to prepare for delays and detours on many routes.
After the devastating destruction left behind by Hurricane Sandy, NJ TRANSIT will resumed the majority of Bus and Access Link service starting Thursday, November 1.
Thursday’s restoration of service comes on the heels of the Governor Christie’s earlier announcement that River Line light rail service resumed operations Wednesday afternoon, making trips every 30 minutes between the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden and Trenton Transit Center.
Bus Service:
Starting today, November 1, NJ TRANSIT will restore bus service on 68 bus routes in northern and central New Jersey and 18 bus routes in southern New Jersey, providing service over the entire routes with no detours or truncations.
Also today, NJ TRANSIT will restore partial service on 58 bus routes in northern and central New Jersey and 17 routes in southern New Jersey that will operate with detours or truncations due to ongoing impacts from Hurricane Sandy.
Northern and Central
The following routes will all operate over the entire route, with no detours and no truncations:
The following bus routes will resume service with detours or truncations due to ongoing impacts from Hurricane Sandy:
· No. 13 – Minor detour on 13N and 13C at Kingsland Rd at Washington St
· No. 25 – Maplewood to Newark Penn Station
· No. 30 – Minor detour in N. Arlington; Ridge Roadd, Sealy Street and Passaic Street
· No. 34 – Service to Penn Station only
· No. 40 – Minor detour in North Arlington on Ridge Road, Sealy Street, and Passaic Street
· No. 56 – Minor detour on Wood Avenue in Linden
· No. 58 – Minor detour on Michigan Avenue in Cranford
· No. 59 – Minor detour on Jersey Avenue in Elizabeth
· No. 65 – Minor detour on Mountain Avenue in Scotch Plains
· No. 66 – Minor detour on Mountain Avenue in Scotch Plains
· No. 67 – There will be no 67 Express trips. All local trips will start at Lakewood instead of Toms River. There will no service from Toms River to Lakewood.
· No. 68 – No service on Route 516. All service will start at Routes 18 and 9.
· No. 72 – Detour in Clifton
· No. 73 – Minor detour in Florham Park due to closure of Peach Tree Rd
· No. 74 – Detour in Passaic
· No. 76 – Minor detour in Belleville along Belleville Turnpike and Kearney Ave
· No. 83 – Major detour at Westside Industrial
· No. 85 – Access to Hoboken uncertain and service may end at Congress, Jersey City
· No. 87 – Short trips from Gates Avenue to Journal Square – no service to Hoboken
· No. 89 – Access to Hoboken questionable. Service can end at 19th St
· No. 90 – Minor detour on Washington Street in Bloomfield
· No. 112 – Minor detour on Jersey Ave in Elizabeth
· No. 115 – Regular service only, Elizabeth Ave service not operational
· No. 117 – Service will run parallel to Route 22 to compensate for Bus No. 114 ridership
· No. 121 – Trips terminate at 69th Street
· No. 123 – Major detour at Palisades Ave. Trip may end at Congress Street, Jersey City
· No. 126 – Willow/Clinton Service & Hamilton Park Eliminated – Customers can board at Washington Street and 14th Street in Hoboken for service into New York.
· No. 128 – Trips operating outside Park
· No. 130 – No service to Covered Bridge, morning peak service will start from Union Hill.
· No. 132 – No service to Jackson
· No. 133 – Service will start at Route 516 and Route9. No service on Ticetown Road and Crotell Road.
· No. 135 – Regular service from Main and Route 34. Detour on Route 34 to Lloyd Road.
· No. 137 – Express tripswill run as scheduled. 137 Local trips will start at Lakewood.
· No. 138 – Trips will start at Route 18 and Route 9. There will be no service to Spotswood.
· No. 139 – Regular service from Lakewood to New York on Route 9. There will be no service to Englishtown, Covered Bridge or Stone Harbor.
· No. 153 – No service to Linwood Park Loop – Service starts outside the park
· No. 158 – Major detour of north of Route 5 – Service traveling along Palisade Avenue
· No. 163 – Major detour in Upper Ridgewood
· No. 165 – Service starts at New Bridge Rail Station
· No. 166 – No service to Merrit Gardens- Service starts at Madison & Washington avenues
· No. 167 – No service north of Chestnut Bend or Harrington Park Service
· No. 168 – No service north of Bergen Mall.No Paramus Park Service
· No. 171 – Minor detour in Paterson
· No. 177 – No service north of Chestnut Bend, no service to Harrington Park
· No. 178 – Detour on Forest Avenue
· No. 188 – Major detour of north of Route 5
· No. 194 – No service toStockholm – Service begins at New Foundland
· No. 195 – No access to Allwood Park & Ride
· No. 196 – No service north of West Milford, No Skyline Drive
· No. 197 – No service north of West Milford, No Skyline Drive
· No. 199 – Operating with detours through Lyndhurst and Nutley
· No. 319 – Terminates at Toms River
· No. 703 – Haledon service discontinued. Service starts at Broadway Terminal
· No. 770 -Minor detour in Paterson
· No. 874 – Minor detour; E. Halsey Rd to Parsippany Rd
Southern New Jersey
The following bus routes will resume full service with no detours or truncations: Nos. 313, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 410, 412, 413, 414, 417, 418, 450, 451, 452, 453, 459, 455, 460 and 463.
The following bus routes will resume service with detours or truncations due to ongoing impacts from Hurricane Sandy:
· No. 315 – No service to Stone Harbor, Avalon and Sea Isle City due to the closure of Stone Harbor Bridge.
· No. 317 – No service beyond Fort Dix
· No. 319 – No service to Atlantic City
· No. 409 – No service from Burlington to Trenton
· No. 419 – No service on York Drive and Woodland Road in Beverly
· No. 455 – Minor detour on Kingstown Drive
· No. 457 – Minor detour on Church Road between Fellowship Road and Route 38 in Cherry Hill
· No. 502 – No service to/from Atlantic City
· No. 507 – No service to/from Atlantic City and Ocean City
· No. 508 – No service to/from Atlantic City
· No. 509 – Service between Pleasantville to Somers Point only
· No. 551 – No service from Avandale to Atlantic City
· No. 552 – No service to/from Atlantic City
· No. 553 – No service to/from Atlantic City
· No. 554 – No service to/from Atlantic City
· No. 559 – No service to/from Atlantic City
Bus service on routes not listed remains suspended until further notice. Power outages in local communities have resulted in the loss of traffic control devices critical to safe operation in some areas. Downed tree limbs and power lines continue to make many roads impassable. Personnel are in the field reviewing and assessing these conditions in order to ensure that service is restored as soonas it becomes safe to do so.
Due to significant damage to theState’s public transportation network, NJ TRANSIT rail service will remain suspended until further notice. Newark Light Rail and Hudson Bergen Light Rail service alsoremain suspended until further notice.
Rail Service:
· There is no estimated time for the resumption of service. Service will remain suspended until further notice.
· Crews continue to inspect the rail infrastructure to get a full assessment of damage:
· NJ TRANSIT’s Rail Operations Center—the central nervous system of the railroad—was engulfed in water, which damaged backup power supply systems, the emergency generator, and the computer system that controls the movement of trains and power supply.
· Local power outages have prevented NJ TRANSIT rail operations from being able to further test crossing gates and operating signals.
· Hundreds of downed trees have fallen across the rail system, which have caused damage to overhead wires and signal wires.
· There are rail washouts across the system, including on the North Jersey Coast Line, Atlantic City Rail Line as well as at Kearny Junction, the critical link which enables MidTOWN Direct service to access the Northeast Corridor.
· Several rail stations have sustained flood damage, including Hoboken Terminal.
· Morgan Drawbridge on the North Jersey Coast Line in South Amboy sustained damage from boats and a trailer that collided into the bridge.
Light Rail Service:
· River Line resumed full service starting at 3 p.m. Wednesday, operating on a Sunday schedule, every 30 minutesr Rand Transportation Center in Camden and Trenton Transit Center.
· Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail service will remain suspended until further notice. There is currently no estimated time for resumption of service. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail experienced track washouts at Port Imperial and West Side Avenue stations, as well as trees in the overhead wire in Weehawken and flooding in Hoboken.
· Crews continue to inspect the light rail infrastructure to get a full assessment of damage.
· Newark Light Rail sustained flooding in Newark Penn Station, as well as major debris damage between Newark Penn and Branch Brook Park stations.
Access Link:
· Access Link service will resume today, November 1, in the following regions:
· Region 2, which includes Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.
· Region 3, which includes Atlantic, Cape May and Southern Ocean County.
Service Updates:
For the latest travel information, customers should listen to broadcast traffic reports, visit or access NJ TRANSIT’s Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager. Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555
Regarding travel on the road, please keep these points in mind:
– Don’t go on the roads unless you are essential to the disaster response.
– There is no ban on driving, BUT there are travel restrictions in many counties e.g., Atlantic, Cumberland, Camden. The Parkway is closed from Exit 38 South and there is the possibility of expanding the closure.
– Regardless of current rain conditions, drive slower to avoid losing control when you drive into ponding and standing water that is already on every roadway.
– Never drive through standing water, even if you think your vehicle can clear the depth. Even if you have an SUV. You could stall and block access for emergency workers
– Expect that flash flooding can turn a stream under a roadway into a river, capable of washing vehicles right off the road. This resulted in a tragic death during Irene.
– If you don’t have to be on the road, stay home. This is no time to venture out for sightseeing or taking photographs and videos.
PORT AUTHORITY UPDATE ON CONDITIONS AT TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
October 29, 2012
As landfall of Hurricane Sandy approaches, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reports the following update on conditions at its transportation facilities as of 7 a.m. today:
Airports
The Port Authority’s airports – John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, Stewart International and LaGuardia airports – are open. However, air carriers have ceased operations until further notice, and we are encouraging travelers not to travel to the airports.
Rail service on AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark has been suspended until further notice.
PATH
All PATH service was suspended as of midnight until further notice.
Ports
The Port Authority’s maritime facilities are closed until further notice.
Tunnels and Bridges
The Port Authority’s tunnels and bridges are open. However, Port Authority staff will closely monitor the wind and flooding conditions. Closures will be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on high winds, rainfall and roadway conditions. However, closures are anticipated later today. Motorists are urged reduce speeds when roadways are wet, and pay close attention to posted electronic messages for important information.
Port Authority Bus Terminal
All public and private bus service has been suspended until further notice.
Passengers are reminded to check https://www.panynj.gov/ for updated information about PATH, the airports, the tunnels and bridges, and all other Port Authority facilities. For further information about safety precautions, evacuation routes and best practices for New York State, visit https://www.governor.ny.gov/stormwatch. For New Jersey, visit www.ready.nj.gov.
Photo by Ereny Milad Seaside Heights looks like early Sunday evening… storm didn’t even hit yet
WEATHER ALERT : Hurricane Sandy still remains hundreds of miles away from New Jersey
October 29.2012
the Staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Hurricane Sandy still remains hundreds of miles away from New Jersey but the superstorm has been making its approach known, with high winds, rough surf and coastal flooding. Landfall is expected near Barnegat between 7 and 11pm tonight.
According to News 12 New Jersey Meteorologist James Gregorio , Hurricane Sandy is about 425 miles southeast of New York City and the center of the storm is expected to be near the Jersey Shore late tonight.( https://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=338541&position=1&news_type=news®ion_name=NJ®ionId=2&utm_source=News12NJ&utm_medium=twitter )
Gregorio says the storm has top sustained winds of 75 mph, with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 175 miles from the storm’s center and a potentially lethal storm surge of 4 to 11 feet across much of the region. The punishing winds that could cause widespread power outages. ( https://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=338541&position=1&news_type=news®ion_name=NJ®ionId=2&utm_source=News12NJ&utm_medium=twitter)
THIS IS AN URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE RIDGEWOOD OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:
HURRICANE SANDY IS EXPECTED TO IMPACT OUR AREA AS EARLY AS SUNDAY NIGHT. WIND GUSTS COULD REACH 75 MPH CAUSING SIGNFICANT RISK TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. MAJOR FLOODING IS ALSO EXPECTED.
RESDIENTS ARE WARNED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PREPARE.
SECURE OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND OTHER LOOSE OBJECTS.
MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF YOU ARE IN A FLOOD-PRONE AREA.
BE PREPARED TO SELF-EVACUATE. ALSO BE PREPARED TO SHELTER IN PLACE, WITH AT LEAST A 3 DAY SUPPLY OF FOOD AND WATER.
IF YOU MUST GO OUTSIDE, AVOID DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES. AND STAY AWAY FROM FLOOD WATERS.
CALLL 9-1-1 ONLY FOR LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCIES.
Christie Administration Begins Preparations For Possible NJ TRANSIT System Shutdown
TRENTON, NJ –The Christie Administration has announced that preparations have officially begun for the potential shutdown of NJ TRANSIT bus, rail, light rail and Access Link service, effective Monday, October 29. This preliminary step is being implemented as the statewide transportation agency continues preparations for Hurricane Sandy.
“The safety of our customers, employees and the public-at-large is paramount,” said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson. “By beginning this important process, NJ TRANSIT will be better able to support the state’s response to Hurricane Sandy by freeing up buses or other resources that may be needed for hurricane relief.”
During Hurricane Irene, NJ TRANSIT implemented a full-scale system shutdown spanning nearly 36 hours. This decision is credited with saving billions in NJ TRANSIT assets, which enabled NJ TRANSIT to restart service with all equipment available for use. Additionally, no customer or employee injuries were reported during this time.
The systematic shutdown of NJ TRANSIT service will require a minimum of 12 hours to complete. The process requires the relocation and securing of buses, rail equipment and other NJ TRANSIT assets away from flood-prone areas. It also requires complete coordination with state and local officials throughout the process.
It is important to specifically note that this step is being taken solely as a precautionary measure. No final decisions have been made regarding any potential future service suspension.
Earlier today, Governor Christie announced system-wide cross-honoring of all rail, bus and light rail tickets starting Monday, 12:00 a.m. and continuing through Wednesday, 6 a.m. This important step will allow customers holding NJ TRANSIT tickets to use alternate means of transportation to get to their final destination, such as PATH, PATCO and private bus carriers. Due to the duration of the storm and the potential impact to the NJ TRANSIT system, this timeframe could be extended if necessary.
NJ TRANSIT PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE SANDY
Rail and Light Rail Operations
NJ TRANSIT’s maintenance forces continue inspecting culverts, drainage pipes and rights-of-way to ensure they are clear of blockages that could exacerbate flooding and disrupt service.
NJ TRANSIT rail and light rail crews and equipment are on standby to respond to downed trees, wires and flooding.
Bus and Access Link Operations
NJ TRANSIT Bus and Access Link maintenance and support staff will be on standby 24/7 to respond where needed.
Customer Service
Customer Service Field Offices will extend their hours of operations if necessary.
The Transit Information Office (TIC) – NJ TRANSIT’s call center, is also prepared to extend its hours if necessary.
TRAVEL ADVICE
For the latest travel information, customers should listen to broadcast traffic reports, visit njtransit.com or access our Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT prior to starting your trip.
In the event of service delays or adjustments, including the suspension of service, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager. (If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, we encourage you to sign up at www.njtransit.com/mytransit) Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop.
Stairs, floors and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains.
Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or to NJ TRANSIT staff.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE : FLOOD WATCH
554 AM EDT SUN OCT 28 2012
…SIGNIFICANT FLOODING POSSIBLE MONDAY INTO TUESDAY…
…FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH
TUESDAY AFTERNOON…
THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR
* PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT…NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY AND
SOUTHEAST NEW YORK…INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS…IN
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT…NORTHERN FAIRFIELD…NORTHERN
MIDDLESEX…NORTHERN NEW HAVEN…NORTHERN NEW LONDON…
SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD…SOUTHERN MIDDLESEX…SOUTHERN NEW HAVEN
AND SOUTHERN NEW LONDON. IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY…EASTERN
BERGEN…EASTERN ESSEX…EASTERN PASSAIC…EASTERN UNION…
HUDSON…WESTERN BERGEN…WESTERN ESSEX…WESTERN PASSAIC AND
WESTERN UNION. IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK…BRONX…KINGS
(BROOKLYN)…NEW YORK (MANHATTAN)…NORTHEASTERN SUFFOLK…
NORTHERN NASSAU…NORTHERN QUEENS…NORTHERN WESTCHESTER…
NORTHWESTERN SUFFOLK…ORANGE…PUTNAM…RICHMOND (STATEN
ISLAND)…ROCKLAND…SOUTHEASTERN SUFFOLK…SOUTHERN NASSAU…
SOUTHERN QUEENS…SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER AND SOUTHWESTERN
SUFFOLK.
* FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON
* A DANGEROUS COASTAL STORM IS EXPECTED TO BRING BETWEEN 2 AND 6
INCHES OF RAIN EARLY MONDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY. THE HIGHEST
RAINFALL AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS…IN
AREAS THAT EXPERIENCE PROLONGED HEAVY RAIN BANDS AS WELL AS
AREAS THAT ARE NEAR THE CENTER OF CIRCULATION OF THE STORM.
file Photo Boyd Loving
RAINFALL RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE IN THE
HEAVIEST BANDS.
* THESE RAINFALL AMOUNTS WILL CA– USE WIDESPREAD URBAN AND POOR
DRAINAGE FLOODING MONDAY MORNING INTO TUESDAY…WITH FLOODING
OF FLASHY…FAST RESPONDING STREAMS LIKELY AS WELL. THE URBAN
AND POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING WILL LIKELY BE EXACERBATED BY
FALLEN LEAVES CLOGGING DRAINS…AND ALONG COASTAL AREAS DURING
THE TIMES OF HIGH TIDE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE
ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO
FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING
DEVELOP.
NJ TRANSIT CONTINUES PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE SANDY
As Hurricane Sandy moves into the region, NJ TRANSIT is closely monitoring Hurricane Sandy’s movements along the Atlantic Coast and preparing the system to minimize service suspensions and delays as much as possible. Current reports estimate Hurricane Sandy beginning to affect New Jersey late Sunday evening with the storm intensifying Monday into Tuesday.
NJ TRANSIT crews are currently preparing rail, bus and light rail infrastructure for the storm and additional crew and equipment will be on standby to respond to downed trees, wires and flooding when the storm hits. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT is coordinating with state, county and local OEMs (Offices of Emergency Management) to keep them updated on service status, outages and restoration efforts.
Storm forecasts indicate Hurricane Sandy has the potential to impact transit services. It may be necessary for NJ TRANSIT to modify service as conditions change. While every effort will be made to continue operating rail, bus, light rail and Access Link services throughout the state, customers may experience delays, detours or cancellations on their routes due to significant rainfall expected in some areas.
Customers are advised to plan accordingly and anticipate disruptions to service. NJ TRANSIT advises customers:
For the latest travel information, visit njtransit.com or access our Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT prior to starting your trip. In the event of delays or service adjustments, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager. (If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, we encourage you to sign up at www.njtransit.com/mytransit) Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop.
Stairs, flooring and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains.
Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or NJ TRANSIT staff.
NJ TRANSIT Customer Service Field Offices will extend their hours of operation if necessary. The Transit Information Offices, NJ TRANSIT’s call center, is also prepared to extend its hours if necessary. Customers in need of service information can call (973) 275-5555.
Red Cross Urges New Jersey to Plan for Hurricane Sandy
The American Red Cross North Jersey Region is monitoring Hurricane Sandy as it heads north along Florida’s coastline and is working closely with government and other New Jersey partners on response plans should the storm have an impact on the state. While it is still too early to predict the precise track Sandy will take, forecasters say the storm may pose a threat to New Jersey early next week.“Now is the time to put your plans in place and shop for any supplies necessary to update your disaster kits,” says Dennis McNulty, director of Disaster Services with the American Red Cross North Jersey Region. “Discuss your communication plan with family members to make sure all household members know what to do should this storm have a major impact on New Jersey.”Just as the Red Cross is preparing for Hurricane Sandy, people in New Jersey should take the threat of Sandy seriously and take steps now to be prepared – build a kit, make a plan and be informed. Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of hurricanes, which may bring flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes.Red Cross tools make it easier for people to make or update plans.
The Hurricane App for iPhone or Android smart phones helps people create a plan, share it with household members and over social networks. In addition, a template and instructions to build a plan are available at redcross.org.
The American Red Cross recommends the following preparedness actions:Get or assemble an emergency preparedness kit:A portable kit, stored in a sturdy, easy to carry, water resistant container should have enough supplies for three days. Check your kit and replace perishable stock every six months. Whether you purchase a kit or choose to build your own, your three-day kit should include:
Water – one gallon per person, per day.
Food – non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, and canned fruit. Make sure to include a manual can opener.
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
A first aid kit.
Prescription and non-prescription medication items. Include medical supplies like extra hearing aid batteries, syringes, etc.
Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and social security cards.
Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
Extra cash. ATMs and credit cards won’t work if the power is out.
Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowls).
Prepare a family evacuation plan:
The American Red Cross urges each and every household to develop a household disaster plan.
Meet with your family to create a plan. Discuss the information you have gathered and why it is important to prepare for a disaster.
Identify two meeting places; One right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire, and one outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
Be sure to make advanced preparations for your pets. Be aware that pets may not be allowed in shelters. Contact hotels, motels, family members and animal shelters to see if they would allow pets in a disaster situation. Keep a contact list of “pet friendly” locations. If you are asked to evacuate, take your pets with you.
Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. During or after a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance, especially if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your emergency contact person’s phone number and email address.
Show and explain to each family member how and when to turn off the water and electricity at the main switches. Turn gas off only if instructed by local authorities. Remember, if the gas is shut-off, only a professional can turn it back on.
Plan your evacuation route. Use local maps and identify alternate evacuation routes from home, work and/or school. Know where you are going and how you plan to get there before you leave home.
Be informed:
Find out what types of disaster are likely to occur in your area and how to prepare for each.
Find out how local authorities will contact you during a disaster. Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions and follow the advice of local authorities.
If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately. You may choose to evacuate sooner than alerted if you think you may need additional time.
Know what to do if a hurricane WATCH is issued:
Listen to weather updates from your battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.
Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, bicycles, toys and garden tools, anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
Close all windows and doors. Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood.
If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture or move it to a higher floor to protect it from flooding.
Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
Check your disaster supplies kit to make sure items have not expired.
Know what to do if a hurricane WARNING is issued:
Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
If in a manufactured home, check tie-downs and evacuate as told by local authorities.
Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.
If you are not advised to evacuate, stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
Do NOT use open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
If power is lost, turn off appliances to reduce damage from a power surge when electricity is restored.
For more information about hurricane preparedness, visit www.redcross.org.
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