Sandy: What You Need to Know in Maplewood

Maplewood officials are scheduled to hold a briefing at 10am Tuesday morning to discuss the impact and aftermath of Sandy.

At a 4 p.m. press conference on Monday:

Police Chief Robert Cimino reported a current list of street closures. He noted that the township is starting to see significant effects from the high winds.

Fire Chief Joseph Richardella said the department had responded to 37 calls, the majority of which were wires down and trees down.

He stressed that people should call from inside their homes, and stay away from trees and downed wires.

Mayor Vic DeLuca said that utility crews will not be in the field until the wind dies down, because it is too dangerous for workers to be in bucket trucks. 

DeLuca cautioned residents that the storm was a dangerous event that will increase in intensity as the day goes on. He said he had been in touch with the Governor's office twice daily for the past several days, as well as being in touch with PSEG and NJAWC.

Some key points made by the Mayor and other officials:

• Remain at home, do not try to leave your house unless it is absolutely essential.
• For power outages, call PSE&G directly at 1 (800) 436-PSEG. Do not call the town.
• DeHart Community Center is open as a shelter for residents who need it. 
• For emergencies, including downed wires, call 911. 
• Treat all downed wires as live and do not touch them. Do not touch trees with downed wires on them -- Chief Richardella said this is "one of the biggest hazards we have."
• For general, non-emergency questions and to report road hazards, call Maplewood Police at (973) 762-3400.
• Keep generators outside of your home away from windows, because of the danger of carbon monoxide.
• Do not use candles; they are a fire hazard.
• Trees cannot be removed by the DPW until they receive clearance from PSE&G.
• On street parking is not allowed during the storm as it could impeded with cleanup and rescue efforts.
• Garbage and recycling pickups are suspended until Thursday, when they will do double pickups.
• It is illegal to have a sump pump in your house connected to the sanitary sewer system.
• Schools, libraries are parks are closed until further notice. Jitneys are canceled until further notice.
• Town Hall will remain open today for residents who need to charge cell phones, etc. 
• Fill a bathtub with water in case of loss of water. Refrain from using water just before and shortly after a storm to relieve pressure on sanitary system.

Ambulances are ready on both sides of town. 

For calls of water in a home, the Fire Department and DPW will prioritize them with emergencies. Pumping of basements will be done AFTER the storm.

Residents can sign up for emergency notifications to be sent to their cell phones through the township's Code Red System. Sign up here.