The Alternative Press

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ – As Hurricane Sandy moves its way closer to New Jersey, Governor Christopher Christie has already recommend New Jersey Schools close on Monday.

The Governor declared a State of Emergency yesterday at 11 a.m.

“The focus of efforts should be on when Sandy hits our region, not if Sandy hits our region,” was a statement released by the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, N.J., about the impact of Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane Sandy is currently rated as a Category 1 Hurricane, which means it can be classified as a life-threatening storm, and winds can range from 74 to 95 miles per hour. Damage is mostly caused to trees, and shrubs, with minimal damage to buildings, though trees could be uprooted, and unanchored mobile homes.

Hurricane Sandy has currently impacted Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas, Haiti, and Florida, to varying degrees. In Cuba, it reached Category 2 status, yielding winds between 96 to 110 miles per hour. It was downgraded to a tropical storm on October 27, before regaining strength as a Category 1 Hurricane.

Close to 70 people have died from Sandy’s impact, since making landfall in Jamaica on October 24.

Some hurricanes of the past with Category 1 status have included: Alice (1954), Agnes (1972), Danny (1985), Jerry (1989), Lester (1992), Ismael (1995), Cesar (1996), Claudette (2003), Stan (2005), Humberto (2007), Noel (2007), and Isaac (2012).

The Alternative Press of Sussex County has learned of these Sussex County school closures announced to date:

• Byram Township Schools
• Hamburg Borough Schools
• Hopatcong Borough Schools
• Hardyston Township Schools
• Lenape Valley Regional High School
• Newton Public Schools
• Sparta Township Schools
• Sussex Wantage Public Schools
• Stanhope Public Schools
• Vernon Township Schools

Some area college closures include:

Caldwell College: The college posted an urgent announcement, that it will be closed on Monday, and Tuesday, for both day and evening classes. Click here for complete information. 

Centenary College: On the college’s website, was a message from Leonard Kunz, Assistant Dean for Campus Safety. “In an effort to assist everyone in preparing for the approaching storm, Dr. Lewthwaite has cancelled all classes for Monday and Tuesday, October 29 &30, at all locations. This decision was made based upon the information forwarded by the National Weather Center, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, The Office of the Governor,  and is consistent with that of many other institutions. Plans are in place and preparation continues to accommodate all resident students during the storm. Centenary College anticipates to resume full activities on Wednesday but that could change with the unpredictability of the storm. Any changes will be communicated via all means available. Everyone is encouraged to take storm preparations seriously and follow all proper safety measures. All administrative offices are also closed during this time.” Click here for complete details. 

College of Saint Elizabeth: The college posted on its homepage, “Due to impending inclement weather resulting from Hurricane Sandy, the College will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, October 29th and 30th. All internal and external events have also been cancelled. In addition, all Holocaust Programs for Wednesday, October 31st have also been cancelled. Please check back on our website and our INFO line (973-290-4636) for periodic updates.”

County College of Morris: The college posted an alert on its website: “All day & evening classes, offices, and events in Randolph and Morristown are cancelled on Mon. Oct. 29 & Tues. Oct. 30 due to Hurricane Sandy.” The college also posted a “Preparing For Hurricane Sandy Guide,” from the Morris County Office of Emergency Management, on its website. Click here for complete details. 

Drew University: Drew University has posted, “Due to the approaching hurricane and out of concern for the safety of the members of our community, Drew University has closed its campus. All university classes, activities and events through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday have been canceled. (Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey patrons with tickets to Man of La Mancha on these dates should contact the theatre box office directly (973) 408-5600, to see if their performance will be held as scheduled.”

Fairleigh Dickinson University: “Non-essential campus operations on both of FDU's New Jersey campuses will close at 6pm today, Sunday, October 28, and remain closed through Tuesday evening, October 30. Classes are canceled for Monday and Tuesday (October 29-30). Essential staff including campus safety and facilities staff are expected to report on schedule. Students who are away from campus are advised not to return until the emergency passes and to remain in a safe place. Students remaining on campus are advised to stay in close contact with the resident assistants and the Residence Life staff.  As additional information becomes available, messages will be transmitted using the FDU Alert System, and the website will be updated.”  Click here for complete information. 

Kean University: The university has canceled all classes and activities on Monday at Tuesday. The Nancy Thompson Library, and University Center, closed at 2 p.m. Continue to follow the college’s website for complete information.

Montclair State University: The university has its university emergency notification procedures in effect, and has indicated it is closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Sandy. In case of class cancellation, the University Emergency Notification system will be utilized, and students notified via the university’s website, and email. The university has currently has made no announcements about closure, and has stated, “It will be the University’s intention to remain open and operating whenever possible. Therefore, your default assumption should be that the regular class and activity schedule will be in effect.” Click here for complete information. 

NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology): NJIT has posted on its website that tomorrow classes are cancelled, and, administrative offices are closed. Updates will be posted on the college’s website, Facebook Page, NJIT SOS and Twitter. Click here for the website. 

Rutgers Newark: The university has posted information about how to find out about campus closings. The university will announce on its website by 6 a.m., on the day of class, and for evening classes, by 3 p.m. There will also be announcements made on Facebook, Twitter, various radio stations, and by phone: (973) 353-1766. Click here for further information. Rutgers University has made no current announcements about closures.

Seton Hall University: Seton Hall University has posted an announcement on its website homepage, from the Department of Public Safety and Security: “Seton hall University will be closed on Monday October 29 and Tuesday October 30 due to Hurricane Sandy.”

Sussex County Community College: The college posted on its website, “We’ll be updating Facebook and our website with our status as we prepare for the coming storm.” The college has made no current announcements about closures.

William Paterson University: The university has noted on its website, classes and activities will be suspended from 7 p.m. today, through at least Monday evening. The university plans to continue to monitor the storm. Click here for complete information. 

The latest updates from the municipalities around the county, and the county itself:

The County of Sussex has posted on its website: "Sussex County offices closed Monday and Tuesday, re-opening Wednesday, subject to change. Essential personnel should report as directed." Click here to view announcements for the County of Sussex webpage.

Byram Township – The Byram Township Fire Department posted on its Facebook Page: “The Byram Township Fire Department is ready to service our residents during this storm. Things to remember: Treat all down wires as live wires, if you see them taped or coned off stay clear of them. Please DO NOT call 911 to report down wires in the streets please call JCP& L at 1-888-544-4877. The Fire House will be staffed from 11 am tomorrow through the duration of the storm. The Firehouse phone number is 973-347-2662. Please take this storm seriously and make sure you have enough batteries and water. Please remember to keep all generators WELL ventilated as they pose a Carbon Monoxide problem.” Click here to follow the Byram Township Fire Department’s Facebook Page.

Hamburg Borough – Hamburg Borough Police Department posted two major announcements on its Facebook Page. First, Hamburg Borough Mayor Paul Marino declared a State of Emergency for the town itself.  Marino said, “***As of 12:00 P.M. this date (10/28/12) the Borough of Hamburg has declared a State of Emergency that will remain in effect until further notice*** The Borough of Hamburg along with the Hamburg Office of Emergency Management, Hamburg Police Department, Hamburg Fire/EMS, and Road Department has spent the last few days tracking and preparing for the upcoming storm.  Their services will be available for the duration of the storm to assist our residents as best they can.  Please everyone, avoid driving if at all possible and stay at a safe location.  Stay clear from downed trees and power lines and please do not attempt to drive through standing water or roads that are closed.  If you have any EMERGENCIES throughout the storm, please call 9-1-1 immediately.  The Hamburg Borough School will be closed for tomorrow, Monday (10/29/12), and a decision on future closures will be made as necessary.  Thank you and again, everyone stay safe.” The second message on the Facebook Page, instructed residents to: “Please secure all items around your house (ie. decorations, lawn furniture, etc). The NWS is predicting sustained winds upwards of 60 MPH. Unsecured items can turn into dangerous projectiles.” Click here for the link to the Hamburg Borough Police Department’s Facebook Page. 

Continue to follow The Alternative Press for continuing coverage of Hurricane Sandy. Click here for The Alternative Press of Sussex County’s Facebook Page, where articles and announcements will be posted.