Monday, 8 p.m.: Winds Picking Up, Power Outages Throughout Garwood

Monday, 8 p.m.: As the winds picked up, many borough residents have lost power.

Monday, 2 p.m.: Garwood Mayor Patricia Quattrocchi and OEM Director Glen Sytko have declared a state of emergency in Garwood, prohibiting nonessential motor vehicle traffic. A curfew will also begin at 9 p.m., prohibiting pedestrian movement. See a PDF of the declaration in our gallery.

Monday, 9 a.m.: From the Mayor’s Desk

The National Weather Service has predicted that “this storm will be like nothing any of us has experienced in our lifetimes.”

This is a category ONE storm residents are advised to prepare their property for the worst scenarios. Landfall is expected to be at midnight Monday into Tuesday directly into Atlantic City.

Residents can obtain storm related information by visiting the website www.Garwoodpd.org , the police dept. will also be posting messages on Twitter, Facebook and Nixle.com (sign up on www.nixle.com to receive updates on cell phones and the internet), sign up for First Alert messages on our Police Site as well.Residents have been working hard to clear leaves from streets and bagging them, this is much appreciated.

Our DPW will be on the streets Monday please make the job of clearing the leaves more efficient to keep the storm sewers running freely. Though power outages are expected PSE&G is taking steps to keep power supplied to residents by bringing in out of state work crews and mobile transformers. Downed power lines due to expected high winds could interfere with service. Residents are advised to prepare accordingly. Portable Cell phone towers will be employed to keep cell service as functional as possible.

Our Office of Emergency Management has been coordinating the PD, FD and other services as well as working with the Union County OEM to ensure the safety of our residents. Fire equipment and First Aid services will be functioning on both the North and South sides of the borough.

Garwood residents in need of emergency shelter should contact the Garwood Police who will handle the necessary arrangements for transportation etc. on an as needed basis when necessary, regional shelters have been designated.

Storm related information regarding closings etc.:

Garwood Schools are closed on Monday, 10/29 and Tuesday 10/30Arthur Johnson HS, is closed Monday, 10/29 and Tuesday 10/30 – sports activities are also canceled
Going forward Garbage Pickup is canceled; please bag leaves to keep the storm sewers running freely.
Union County:  Superior Court Closed Monday, 10/29
Classes at Union County College canceled Monday and Tuesday
Para-Transit Services canceled Monday and Tuesday
State Offices are closed Monday, 10/29

Visit www.ready.nj.gov for storm updates from DOT, State Police OEM, BPU,NJ Trans, Port Authority etc. Updates will be provided as they become available.

From the Garwood Police Department via UC First Alert:

This is a storm update and safety reminder from the Garwood Police Department.

Hurricane Sandy is upon us, this storm is like no other we have seen in the past. Your home is the safest place for you, stay indoors! Please assist our first responders and stay off the roads.

Remember to call 9 1 1 for any Police, Fire or Medical emergency.
Call Police Headquarters at 908-789-1500 for any non emergency calls or questions you may have.

The Garwood Police Department will continue to post updates on the internet. Alerts and notifications can be found on the internet at ww.garwoodpd.org and follow us on twitter @garwoodPD for the latest updates. For additional Union County alerts, visit ucfirstalert.org

The Garwood Public Schools are closed today October 29 and tomorrow October 30. Garbage will not be picked up today.

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