Hurricane Irene – Archived Messages

Update 12:15 AM – 08-30-11

PSE&G is making substantial progress restoring power to customers affected by yesterday’s hurricane, which is the worst in the company’s history as measured by the number of customers without power.

• Electricity is back on for more than 563,000 customers, while work continues to restore about 147,000 customers statewide.  The company expects the majority of these customers to be restored within 24 to 48 hours, with the remaining customers within the next 4 to 6 days.
• While the sun is now shining, restoration efforts remain complex.  Hurricane Irene posed a direct hit to PSE&G’s service territory with both wind and flooding.  In addition to downed trees and wires, flooding has created major restoration challenges, especially in counties like Bergen, Middlesex, Somerset and Union.
• Employees are drying and cleaning flooded substations so they can restore circuits, but some rivers in New Jersey have not yet crested.  Also, flood waters are preventing employees from entering a number of other areas. Customers, particularly in flooded areas, should be prepared for lengthy outages until flood waters recede and crews can safely enter.
• PSE&G has 6,000 employees supporting the restoration effort, including crews from Florida, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, plus more than 500 tree contractors.  Crews are working around the clock.
• Preparation and planning for this hurricane began with the first forecast notifications.  We have mobilized a significant number of staff employees to field restoration work.

PSEG Online Information
Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can view the status of their outage by logging on to My Account at www.pseg.com.  Customers may click onto the Hurricane Information icon on the Web site for tips on outage safety, flooding and other storm related information.  Information is also available on the company’s Twitter page at http://twitter.com/psegoutageinfo.

Update 9:00 PM – 0829-11

The Passaic Avenue Bridge has been cleared and inspected by the County of Bergen for structural integrity. At this time all roadways are open to public traffic .

Update 3:35 PM – 08-29-11

The evacuation order has been lifted and you may return to your residence. However, we urge all residents to exercise caution when returning. If your utilities were flooded, or your electricity is not working upon your return , you should consult with a licensed electrician. If you smell gas upon your arrival, please xit the premises immediately and dial 9-1-1. If your gas appliances do not work, please call PSE&G and have them re-light your appliances. This is not something you should do yourself.

Also, please exercise caution when re-entering your residence. Flood waters may have caused the contents of your residence to shift, floors may be slippery and full of mud and there could be unseen structural damage.

Update 3:30 PM – 08-29-11

The power outages that have been experienced since yesterday continue into today for most residents on the south end of the Borough and Massey Street. The Lodi Police Department has escalated the request for an update concerning a time-frame of repair and have gotten the following information:

    The power outage is being caused by a substation failure in Garfield. The good news is that crews are activly working on this site at the present moment when other communities have not even started yet. However, PSE&G will only give an estimate on the time of repair to be 12 to 24 hours.

    THESE ARE NOT FIRM TIME FRAMES AND ONLY ESTIMATES.

Update 1:30 PM – 08-29-11

The Saddle River has receded and is contained within it’s banks. Our sewer system is now operating normal. All restrictions are lifted any you may resume using your dishwashers, washing machines, etc. There was some confusion whether the problem with our sewer system impacted our drinking water. It did not. Our drinking water is, and was during the storm, safe to drink. Again, there is no problem with our water. Important information will continue to be broadcast when available through social media networks, the Borough web site and the Lodi Police Department web site.

Update 1200 PM – 08=29-11

Due to extensive damage to fields at Kennedy Park and Memorial Park, all recreation activities have been cancelled until further notice and these parks are CLOSED. This includes the amphtheatre, tennis courts and activity areas of Memorial Park. The fenced in court area at Kennedy Park on the Kennedy Drive side was not affected and will remain open to activities sponsered or authorized by Lodi recreation only.

Residents are reminded that flooding of property can cause significant mold issues. For additional information please see FEMA’s web site http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=53181

Update 9:00 AM 08-29-11

Flooding conditions on most roads have receded. Significant road closures are still being experienced throughout the Borough as of 8:30 AM this morning for clean-up. Assessments on damage and safety conditions are in progress.

Main Street remains closed from Union Street to Garabaldi Avenue for clean up.

Passaic Avenue bridge at the Lodi Boy and Girls Club will remain closed indefinitely.

Terrace Avenue bridge and roadway is closed for debris removal.

Arnot Street bridge is open to traffic.

IF ON ROADWAYS, PLEASE BE OBSERVANT OF OPEN MANHOLE COVERS!

Update 10:10 PM – 08-28-11

All storm related non-emergency operations will cease at 10:00 PM tonight and services that are storm related will continue in the AM. The Lodi OEM will close at 10:00 PM and begin re-staffing in the morning addressing potential damage assessments once the river has receded to its banks and operation for this purpose is safe.

There will be no further operational updates until the morning when operations are activated again. All emergency operations will remain in effect as usual throughout the night and forward.

Significant road closures exist throughout the town and will continue into the early morning hours up to and including August 29th, 2011 for damage assessments.

Update 7:00 PM – 08-28-11

The Borough continues to experience widespread flooding conditions throughout town. Adjustments have been made to previous river gauge readings that where due to a faulty river gauge. Current predictions are now calling for the Saddle River in Lodi to crest sometime between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM this evening at 13.1 feet approx. 8 feet above flood stage.

We continue to experience high winds that have been causing minimal downed tree and power line issues throughout town.

OEM along with other emergency services as well as the NJ National Guard continue to evacute those persons that have been affected by the rising flood conditions now affecting their homes.

Sewer System issues with capacity due to pump failures continue and minimal use of toilet, dishwashers and showers continues to be in affect until further notice.

Update 3:30 PM – 08-28-11

The Saddle River at Lodi has reach its crest at 12.1 feet and has stalled during the last hour at that level. It is expected to slowly start receding going forward and returning to its banks sometime in the late morning hours. Therefore, flooding conditions will remain throughout the night and into the morning.

The NJ National Guard has been deployed in Lodi for flood evacuations with two high water rescue vehicles working with fire department and OEM officials throughout the town.

Update 1:10 PM – 08-28-11

Lodi Emergency Management is advising that as a result of the flooding that has occurred all through the Borough, our sewer system is a capacity. Some areas may have noticed that water is not draining as quickly as it usually does. In order to alleviate this situation, we are implementing a temporary water restriction.

Please do not use clothes washers or dishwashers until this restriction is lifted. Also, please take short showers only. Finally, if you can avoid flushing the toilet between uses, this will help alleviate the problem more quickly.

As soon as our system is back to normal, we will contact residents via reverse 9-1-1 to advise that the restrictions have been lifted.

Update 10:00 AM – 08-28-11

Hurricane Irene has been downgraded byt he National Wether Service to a Tropical Storm and continues to move out of the area. Local flooding still a major issue throughout the Borough of Lodi.

Update 8:30 AM – 08-28-11

All residents are urged to remain indoors for the duration of the storm. A tornado watch has been extended to 11:00 AM for the area. Only essential employees and volunteers of the State, County and Municipality should be on the roadways.

Update 7:30 AM 08-28-11

Hurricane Irene as of 5:00 AM this morning was located approx. 15 miles SSE of Atlantic City, NJ. Bands of very heavy rain continue to circulate over that area. The center of the storm is expected to be over our area at approx. 1:00 PM being 110 miles SSE of NYC.

The Saddle River at Lodi is expected to crest at approx. 2 PM today August 28th, 2011 at a height of approx. 13 feet.

There have been no reported power outages throughout the Borough as of 7:30 AM

Minimal reports of downed trees with no significant damage as of 7:30 AM.

Road closures due to flooding are throughout the Borough including Main Street, Passaic Street and Rte 46 in both directions.

Update 6:00 AM 08-28-11

Road Closures throughout Borough due to extensive flooding. Please avoid all vehicular travel at this time.

Wind and rain to continue into afternoon hours with continued flooding.

Minimal power outages reported throughout the Borough.

Update 8:30 AM – 08-28-11

All residents are urged to remain indoors for the duration of the storm. A tornado watch has been extended to 11:00 AM for the area. Only essential employees and volunteers of the State, County and Municipality should be on the roadways.

Update 7:30 AM 08-28-11

Hurricane Irene as of 5:00 AM this morning was located approx. 15 miles SSE of Atlantic City, NJ. Bands of very heavy rain continue to circulate over that area. The center of the storm is expected to be over our area at approx. 1:00 PM being 110 miles SSE of NYC.

The Saddle River at Lodi is expected to crest at approx. 2 PM today August 28th, 2011 at a height of approx. 13 feet.

There have been no reported power outages throughout the Borough as of 7:30 AM

Minimal reports of downed trees with no significant damage as of 7:30 AM.

Road closures due to flooding are throughout the Borough including Main Street, Passaic Street and Rte 46 in both directions.

Update 6:00 AM 08-28-11

Road Closures throughout Borough due to extensive flooding. Please avoid all vehicular travel at this time.

Wind and rain to continue into afternoon hours with continued flooding.

Minimal power outages reported throughout the Borough.

Update 9:45 PM 08/27/11

Tornado Watch in effect for Bergen County until 5:00 AM

Update 9:45 PM 08/27/11

State Highway 46 ramps to Main Street closed in both directions indefinitly.

UPDATE 8:00 PM 08/27/11

Important announcement for mobile home residents in Borough. High winds are expected, which may impact your home, especially if it is not adequately secured. We suggest that if your particular home is not well secured, you may want to consider seeking shelter with friends or family. There is also shelter available at Bergen Community College in Paramus. While the shelter will provide you with a cot and food, it may be very crowded and not offer any privacy. If you require assistance in reaching the shelter, please call Lodi Emergency Management at 973-365-4005 Ext 333, and they will attempt to assist you.

 

The National Hurricane Center’s latest prediction indicates that Hurricane Irene will cause severe flooding in the Borough, similar to the flooding we incurred during Tropical Storm Floyd in 1999. This severe flooding will be compounded by the likelihood of very high, dangerous winds. As a result, the Borough will be imposing mandatory evacuations of certain areas of the Borough. Those people subject to the mandatory evacuation will receive notices in their mailboxes tomorrow by approximately 1 p.m. These areas consist of the areas along Main Street from Avenue A to Union Street; Borig Place, Vreeland Avenue, the lower end of Hamilton Avenue; Garibaldi from Main to Short Street; John Street, Green Ct., Church Street past Massey Street, Massey Street, Bel Vista Apartments and Arnot Street up to Bel Vista Ct., Bernice Place, River Street, Myrtle Street, Passaic Ave from Memorial to Home Place, the lower end of Home Place, Terrace Ave between the Bridge and Main, and the lower ends of Norwood, Chestnut and Richmond Streets. All residents of these areas MUST evacuate by 5:00 p.m. We strongly encourage you to leave earlier. There are no plans to open any shelters within the Borough of Lodi. The County will likely open shelters in other areas of the county. However, we expect these shelters to be very crowded and uncomfortable, so we strongly encourage you to seek shelter with friends or relatives. More information will be available tomorrow regarding shelters. At this time, you should have a “go bag” ready for your evacuation. This would include several days of clothing, toiletries and medication and important papers. As many remember during Floyd, residents that never suffered from basement flooding, incurred flooding then as a result of a high water table. Unfortunately, this condition still exists. Therefore, all residents should move belongings out of ground level areas. We also suggest that you make ready for the possibility of extended power outages or possible evacuations. This would include stocking your home with water (we suggest one gallon per day for each resident), obtaining flashlights, batteries and non perishable food not requiring heating. Please refrain from using candles or other open flames. Be advised that during the height of the storm, emergency services may not be able to respond because of severe weather conditions. Finally, please do not call the police department at this time, as they have no additional information. You will only be tying up their phone lines for real emergencies. Further bulletins will be issued, as conditions warrant, by our emergency telephone notification system. You may also visit the Borough web’s site, www.lodi-nj.org, or you can sign up for the police department’s notification system at twitter, facebook or at www.citizenobserver.com. Again, only those residents that receive a notice tomorrow will be subject to mandatory evacuations.