The Alternative Press

PATERSON, NJ – Four people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries when hurricane winds resulted in the collapse of a three-story abandoned apartment building in the 2nd Ward on Monday afternoon, spilling bricks and other debris atop their SUV, authorities said.

The vehicle apparently was at a stop sign at the corner of Marshall and Van Winkle streets, said Deputy Fire Chief Richard Hoedemaker. At first, authorities thought no one was inside the vehicle But as it turns out, the victims were able to get themselves out of the vehicle and they were taken to the hospital.

About half a million New Jersey homes had lost power by 7:30 pm, including more than 15,000 in Passaic County. It's not clear exactly how many Patersonians were without power, but Mayor Jeffrey Jones said his home was among them.

"We've got a multitude of street closings and trees coming down,'' said Emergency Management Director Glenn Brown at 6:30 pm.

Meanwhile, more than 20 Patersonians were staying at the emergency shelter at International High School, the mayor said.

So far, there have been no reported fatalities in Paterson.

City schools will be closed on Tuesday and after-school programs and athletic events have been canceled. The district has also postponed Thursday's High School Academy Fair and Saturday's Parent of the Year breakfast.  Both events will be rescheduled. Officials will decide whether to open schools on Wednesday after they assess the storm's impact on Tuesday.  Decisions may not be made until late Tuesday or very early Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, utility officials have warned customers that outages could last as long as seven days.

With forecasters warning this could be the most severe storm of the century, with gusts of more than 85 mph, utility officials are expecting widespread problems with downed lines. 

PSE&G is warned people to consider all downed power lines and not to touch them. 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.

City officials have canceled street-cleaning and garbage pickups until at least Thursday. Monday's garbage and recycling pickups will be made.

Also, Paterson will be posting no parking signs that take effect at noon on Monday in low-lying areas, such as Presidential Boulevard, and parts of Main Street and Totowa Avenue.

City health officials are urging people who live in flood-prone areas to prepare overnight bags in case they have to go to the city shelter at International High School, including their medications, blankets and changes of clothing for at least two nights.

Health officials also are alerting resident that raw sewage discharges are expected in the Passaic River.

Meanwhile, the Port Authority is ordering the closure of the George Washington Bridge as of 7 pm. The agency poreviously had ordered the Holland Tunnel closed as of 2 pm. NJ Transit has suspended rail, bus and light rail service. As of 4 pm, the Garden State Parkway was closed south of Interchange 129 in Woodbridge.

Gov. Chris Christie announced that state offices will be closed on Tuesday. City offices shut down as of 12:15 pm on Monday. Mayor Jeffrey Jones declared Paterson in a state of emergency as of 12:20 pm on Sunday, a move that will give city authorities the power to close roads and order evacuations if necessary.

Jones urged residents to tune in to Paterson’s emergency radio station at 1640 am or to local access cable television for updates on the storm.