Hurricane Sandy Rages Through Millburn

For updates on this story, like the Millburn Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Updated 9:21 a.m. 

Causing widespread power outages, Sandy passed through the area with hurricane strength winds Monday night. Although the township didn't see much rain, the wind caused dozens of down trees and wires.

Mayor Sandra Haimoff urged residents to stay in their homes Tuesday morning. Almost every road has downed wires and trees she said. 

The Patch will share photos through here and on its Facebook page.

There is no estimate from JCP&L yet.

Town Hall, which appears to be the only place in town with power, will be open for warming and power charging stations. 

A high wind warning is still in effect until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Mayor Sandra Haimoff said residents should call JCP&L, at 1-800-662-3115, to report outages. The town storm center, 973-564-7755, is also open for other questions or issues.

Millburn township said it was prepared for Hurricane Sandy's winds to whip through Millburn and Short Hills. The township filled over 1,000 sand bags in the 24 hours before the storm and placed them to protect localized flooding regions. 

Police released a list of road closures and down trees and wires that was updated continously until the police headquarters internet went out Monday evening. Please add any outages, down trees or lines you see on Tuesday.

Haimoff said on Monday afternoon, "We feel we are in a good position."

So how did you fare? Share your photos and comments here.

Patch is following the storm though and we will continue to update this article with new information on closures throughout town, power outages, locations of shelters and more as it becomes available.

Codey Arena in West Orange is the only overnight shelter available to residents. 

If you need or have any further information, please ask or add it in the comments. Let us know what you see by sending the Patch your updates and uploading you photos here. 

Millburn township will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. on Tuesday to keep residents updated. They also urge residents to call its hotline 973-564-7755 for any questions.

Millburn cancelled school on Monday and Tuesday, as well as trash pickup. If you know other businesses, services, power outages or roads that are closed please add them here to share with the community. 

On Sunday, Governor Chris Christie formally requested a pre-landfall emergency for the state.  The reservoirs around the state have also been lowered.

Mayor Sandra Haimoff has begun to answer residents' questions on this post. The township also released two statements answering residents' questions before the storm. Part 1 - Part 2

If you have further questions ask them here and Patch will get the answers. Patch will be covering the storm live. Also check out some tips on how to use Patch during the storm.

"We seem to have touched base with all necessary agencies," Millburn Business Administrator Tim Gordon said on Friday. 

According to Mayor Sandra Haimoff, residents can park in any municipal lot. Town Hall and South Moutain Elementary will be open as warming and charging stations but not as overnight shelters.

JCP&L have warned residents power could be out in the area for up to 10 days. The company's trucks were in the Millburn-Short Hills area on Sunday preparing.

Residents should check the American Red Cross checklist issued on Friday to make sure they are all set for Monday evenings storm. 

According to FEMA, the basics residents should stock up on is: at least three days worth of non-perishable food and one gallon of water per day for each person in your household for at least three days, for both drinking and sanitation.

Emergency supplies FEMA recommends:

• "Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger"

All Millburn police officers will be on call as of Sunday evening, Captain Michael Palardy said. Police officers will go to 12-hour shifts.

The fire department has checked all its tarps, submersible pumps, salvage equipment and trucks to make sure they are all in working order, Roberts said.

The township has contacted the county to check all drains. It also has the DPW making sure all areas that usually collect debris are clear. 

Gordon suggests residents with basements that usually flood to move valuables upstairs  if they haven't already.