50 Percent of Oakland Without Power, Mayor Says

Nearly half of the Borough of Oakland's residents remained without power Tuesday, according to Mayor Linda Schwager.

Schwager said road conditions were still hazardous Tuesday afternoon. Oakland public schools will be closed on Wednesday.

"We have so many downed trees, downed wires and there are still trees falling today," she said.

Schwager said the Ramapo River had not yet flooded, as anticipated with Tropical Storm Sandy making landfall in New Jersey Monday night. While the borough planned to set up a local shelter for residents, Schwager said it was not opened Monday night.

"It's not that [residents] didn't need it," she said. "The need did not arise to the point of opening up one."

Bergen County opened a shelter at the Bergen County Community College on Monday afternoon. Oakland borough offices were closed Tuesday, as Schwager said there was no way to safely get employees there.

Residents should be advised that there will be garbage and recycling pickup on Wednesday.

"The carrier told us they're coming," Schwager said.

The borough's website was still down Tuesday afternoon, but residents can continue to receive updates through Oakland Patch.