The Alternative Press

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service indicates that the storm will bring strong wind and heavy rain our way starting later today (Sunday), with the peak of the storm hitting late Monday into Tuesday. Non-stop rain over a three day period is expected to cause flooding and steady, high winds will likely bring down some power lines and tree limbs. A state of emergency exists in the entire state of New Jersey. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for New Jersey's barrier islands and the Atlantic City casinos.
 

 

Public schools in Fanwood and Scotch Plains will be closed Monday, Oct. 29th.

 

Fanwood's Police Department, Fire Department, Rescue Squad, Public Works Department and PSE&G are planning for whatever the storm brings. We will provide regular information updates on this website, via email blasts and on Community Televison (Comcast channel 35 and Verizon channel 24). If the power goes out, you can read our emails on your cell phone. Also, our website is optimized for smartphones. We also have the ability to telephone your home directly with recorded messages.
Here's the latest from Mayor Colleen Mahr and Police Chief Richard Trigo:

• STATE OF EMERGENY EXISTS ACROSS NEW JERSEY. Stay off roads unless absolutely necessary. Follow police direction.
• CALL 911 ONLY FOR TRUE EMERGENCIES. The dispatch desk will not be able to give weather forecasts or estimate when power will be restored. It is essential to keep the 911 lines open for true emergencies.
• GET OTHERS TO SUBSCRIBE TO THESE EMAIL UPDATES. Forward this email to friends and family. They can click here and fill out the form. We do not share our email list with anyone else. Subscribers get our weekly email newsletter, special announcements and public safety information.
• SHELTERS. Fanwood local authorities and the Office of Emergency Management have designated shelters IF they are needed. If you need shelter, call Fanwood Police at 908-322-5000. Governor Christie has suggested shelter in this order of priority:  1) Shelter at home 2) Shelter with family or friends 3) Shelter in the local town 4) County shelters 5) State shelters.
• LEAVES. The leaf collection program, which began last week, will not resume during storm conditions. Please do not rake or blow leaves into the street. Leave them on your property until the storm passes. Leaf piles in the street impede the flow of water run-off. Also, please keep storm drains clear. Leaf collection will resume at some point after the storm.
• POWER OUTAGES. PSE&G has assured us they will have extra manpower ready to respond to power outages, and have increased the power system's reliability since the last major storms in 2011. However, power outages are still likely. Keep flashlights and portable radios on hand. Keep refrigerators closed as long as possible to preserve food. Never run portable generators inside the home.  If you have no power and no telephone service, you are safest if you stay at home. If it appears power will be out for an extended period, watch for announcements of "charging stations" where you can recharge your cell phones and other devices.
• YOUR SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT. Once the rain and wind pick up in intensity, stay off the roads. Do not approach downed wires. If you see a downed wire, call 911 immediately. You are safest at home. Keep a special eye on the very young and your elderly neighbors.

We ask all our citizens to be patient and exercise extreme caution and common sense over the next several days. We will get through this together.