Princeton Prepares for Hurricane Sandy

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey on Friday evening predicted that Tropical Cyclone Sandy would be a "widespread, damaging storm, possibly of historic proportions."

Princeton officials say that despite advanced preparation, "we are anticipating problems that will exceed not only the resources of the Borough and Township, but our neighboring communities as well."

Here are real-time local resources you can use to track road closures, flooding, power outages and shelter locations. 

• Princeton Patch on Facebook or Twitter
• Princeton's Official Website
• Princeton Township Police on Facebook or Twitter

PSE&G crews will be working around the clock but because of the storm's expected size and duration it is possible that power could be out for extended periods of time.

The Princeton Fire Department will check to make sure flooded basements are safe, but the department does not pump them out. Check sump pumps or make arrangements with a plumber.

DPW crews will remove trees from the roads as soon as possible, but will probably need to wait for PSE&G to turn off power to electric lines. The immediate concern will be to get roads open and passable, followed by cleanup.

Under no circumstances should you go around police caution lines or barricades. 

Clean out storm drains in front of your home. Also please remove any leaves already placed in the road, as these will block water runoff. And tie down or put away lawn furniture or other items that could become airborne. 

For more information on preparing for the storm please visit the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management’s website.

In case of emergency, call 911. All other calls should go to the police non-emergency lines: 609­-924­-4141 (Borough Police) or 609-921-2100 (Township Police). DO NOT call 911 for a non-emergency, just continue to try and get through on the regular line.

Do not call the police with reports of power outages. Contact PSE&G at 800-436-7734.

DO not put your trash or recyclables out during the height of the storm. Crews will resume normal pick-up schedules when the storm subsides.