Post Hurricane Sandy - Maplewood's Response archived

I feel that my previous page has become a soapbox for a couple of individuals who are not adding anything to the conversation. They can continue there and I will provide updates on this new thread.

1) We spoke with PSE&G folks again today and believe that we will see more crews over the next few days. This does not mean that the power will come on automatically or all at once across town. We still have 90+% of customers out and some areas are severely damaged. It will take time but I believe we will see some action Friday and this weekend. I know PSEG has begun telling people it will be November 9th but that is unacceptable and we will not allow that to happen.

Our pressure yesterday yielded results. There have been more PSEG trucks in town. You also probably saw the orange trucks with tree cutting crews. These are contract workers for PSE&G. We told them we needed trees removed where there are live wires or trees leaning on wires. The responded by sending in crews today. A good number of additional streets that Public Works could not clean up have been opened by these PSEG crews.

2. I spoke with NJ American Water and there is not problem with water quality or supply. There was a water main break in the Wyoming area and that resulted in some brown water.

3. We have issued a strong recommendation to throw away all food in the refrigerator and freezer. We are not at 72 hours and more of no power. That food should go. We are also informing food stores and restaurants that are closed that they must throw away perishable food supplies and be inspected before they open.

4. The SATs will be held on Saturday as planned. They will be at Columbia High School. School will be open on Monday if there is power and the area around is without hazards. All or some of the schools should open up. The school week will run Monday through Friday. The teacher convention was cancelled.

5. Our shelter is at the Community Center in DeHart Park. We are bringing in a new generator Thursday night to make sure we have sufficient electric capacity to run the furnace.

We will begin to advertise post storm information about FEMA financial aid. I was on a conference call with the President and Governor today and they urged anyone who had damages to call 1-800-621-FEMA to register a claim. You can also access FEMA thorugh its website. Please register as soon as possible so your claim is one of the first that gets reviewed.

The pres and gov did talk about working to get more fuel supplies into the state. As that information becomes available, it will be shared. Once power is up, we should be able to utilize more gas stations that have fuel in the ground but no pumps to get it into our cars.

I know things are difficult with no electric or heat. I too have no power. Let's stay together and we will work through all that has come our way.

Stay safe.

Vic,

Should individual homeowners call PSEG to report their home's power outage? Would that be helpful or not?

Thank you, Vic, and the rest of the Town Council. We appreciate your being the voice for us, and for all the updates.

Thanks so much for the update ..... It's really really appreciated

Thank you !!!!!

Thank you. We appreciate your efforts on our behalf.

Tell your crews to get rid of the huge tree at the corner of Sunset terrace and Wyoming ave. the one that sparked a fire so we can get our power back.

Will we have power before the nor'easter weds?

Please call PSEG to report any power problem. It helps us to have all problems on their list. I know it is a hassle to call them but it is helpful.

Straw - just spoke to DPW director - tree is leaning against a primary line - the orange truck guys are responsible - we will inform them - nice tone by the way

strawberry said:

Tell your crews to get rid of the huge tree at the corner of Sunset terrace and Wyoming ave. the one that sparked a fire so we can get our power back.

Thx.limited juice. Trying to conserve usage on device. Thx again

Thank you Vic for the update

Mayor DeLuca, I am copying this from another thread. Perhaps you can help them..."We are on Woodhill Drive in Maplewood with a huge tree and wires down at the bottom of our street blocking us from exiting. If someone on the street needs an ambulance or other emergency assistance, they cannot get it. I know there are many in Maplewood without power and lots are in need of help. However, I'm not sure there are many completely stranded the way that we are. There are more trees and wires down further up the street. Anyone with a driveway on Woodhill cannot get out. We have repeatedly called the town and PSEG but are still stuck here. If anyone has suggestions on how to escalate this please let us know."

Thanks so much for keeping us informed and for all your hard work.

Thanks, Vic.

Apparently NJ Transit has restored train service on one line to NYC that goes via Newark Penn Station. Is there some way that the Maplewood jitneys could be repurposed to provide transportation from the train station to Newark Penn?

@jamie can you please do that voodoo that you do so well and turn this into the sticky discussion? Vic's other thread has turned into a stinky discussion and should probably be allowed to sink.

Thanks.

Desperately need help here.

A large tree sized branch had fallen with wires (looks like cable or phone?) on Essex Avenue in front of our house partially blocking our driveway.

Somebody came to work on it Thursday while we were out and moved it so that it is now totally blocking our driveway trapping all our cars including my daughters (who lives across the street.

She's in her last month of pregnancy and we now have no way to get her to the doctor.

The tape says 'police line'. Who do I call? What can be done to at least liberate our cars?

Sac - I was hoping the same thing. Perhaps even school buses could be repurposed - sounds like traveling from Newark Penn maybe something we need to do for a while. I am going NJT will be using their buses for this purpose. I went. To NYC yesterday and will go back Monday

Not seeing any police presence here on our un-powered block. With families bailing for heated homes of friends and relatives, I hope that leaving a not-alarmed house is not an invitation to burglars. Would make me feel better to see a police car on occasion.

Pardon terseness, conserving dc on phone.

The tree down across Wyoming @ Durant is major choke point . It is forcing a lot of traffic onto side streets in an area that is already clogged with debris . It should be a priority.

@scully - I would call the police non-emergency number. I'm pretty sure it is 973-762-3400.

Please post back to let us know if/how it gets resolved or if someone can help.

Sorry but at least there is a place for the cars to go. We cannot get off our street. There is no alternate route. All we need right now is PSEG to come and confirm that the wires are not live so we can at least have the tree removed.

People leaving their hones should call the police non-emergency number and inform them accordingly. 9737623400.

I am sure if multiple families are decamping from a particular location the police would want to know.

Vic- is the town aware of Danny Florio's situation(needs gas to run generator for respirator)? Can municipal gas supplies be used to help him?

Vic, so appreciate all your updates. here on lower Hickory I have seen no crews. A tree came down at the end of our driveway and took down the power pole, transformer etc. live wires still blocking the street and our driveway. No heat or hot water. Just thought I'd report this here in case that moves things along in any way tho I am grateful that we got nowater in our basement or damage in any way to our house. Thank you again for all your efforts on maple woods behalf!

Okapi said:

Vic- is the town aware of Danny Florio's situation(needs gas to run generator for respirator)? Can municipal gas supplies be used to help him?

I can't find it now (navigating MOL on my phone) but I saw a post yesterday that said that the town or police were aware of that situation.

I saw that post too. They are aware.

Another Jitney option might be to run routes similar to the normal ones, with stop (rather than termination) at Maplewood station and then to SO station for the bus there to the city.

Or perhaps the transit planning experts can figure out something even better.

sis2790 said:

Vic, so appreciate all your updates. here on lower Hickory I have seen no crews. A tree came down at the end of our driveway and took down the power pole, transformer etc. live wires still blocking the street and our driveway. No heat or hot water. Just thought I'd report this here in case that moves things along in any way tho I am grateful that we got nowater in our basement or damage in any way to our house. Thank you again for all your efforts on maple woods behalf!

Fully agree. A lt of people are walking through the debris into town - too close to live wires. This mess creates a safety hazzard on Hickory.

The tree down on Wyoming Ave is on a county road. It must be taken down by a special tree service that PSE&G works with. I called the Essex County Police who gave me a different number to call PSE&G. I reported it as Wyoming is a main access road and an evacuation road as well it
should have been cleared by now.My neighbor also called. Hopefully something will be done.