Hurricane Sandy Damage, Gas Shortage Tops This Week's News

Monday

Thousands Without Power After Sandy Brings Damaging Winds

Gusting winds knocked down numerous trees around the Pascack Valley Monday, damaging buildings and starting fires with downed power lines.

Thousands of area residents were without power early Tuesday. Westwood, Hillsdale and Washington Township each had between 2,001 and 5,000 customers without power, according to a PSE&G outage map. Crews were out working in the area Tuesday morning once winds had slowed down.

Hillsdale Cancels Flood Watch

Hillsdale has canceled its flood watch, according to a message from the borough's Office of Emergency Management.

As of 8:45 p.m. Monday, the Pascack Brook in Westwood had not passed two feet, according to the National Weather Service. The brook reaches flood stage at five feet. OEM officials said they expected only one more inch of rain through the night.

Tuesday

Many Westwood, Hillsdale and Washington Township residents without power were searching for electrcity and Wi-Fi Tuesday.

Kings in Hillsdale and A&P in Washington Township were both open and busy. People searching for gas were also lining up at open gas stations. There were 32 cars lined up to buy gas at Petro Two on Broadway Tuesday and drivers were backed up for three blocks to buy gas at the Lukoil in Washington Township.

Westwood and Washington Township officials announced they would hold a "trunk or treat" event at Westwood Jr./Sr. High School Saturday to make up for Halloween being canceled.

The borough was also enforcing a 7 p.m. curfew for all minors on Halloween, Mayor John Birkner wrote in an announcement to residents.

Hillsdale Mayor Max Arnowitz also asked residents to delay trick-or-treating until Saturday because of damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Wednesday

Pascack Valley residents, many still without power, flocked to local businesses in search of electricity, gas and other supplies after Hurricane Sandy Wednesday and Thursday.

As residents ran low on gas for their cars and generators, they lined up for blocks to buy gas at any station that had both power and fuel. Sandy DeMilt said dozens of cars were waiting at the Shell in Hillsdale within five minutes of emplyees arriving.

Thursday

Downed Power Lines Trap Residents of Dead-End Streets

esidents of more than 30 homes in Hillsdale were blocked for days behind a tree that brought down power lines across Paul Court.

Like many area streets, Paul Court and Buff Lane — another dead end off of Paul — have been without power since Hurricane Sandy knocked down numerous trees Monday evening. In this case, the tree and power lines it brought down were blocking the only road out of the neighborhood.

Drivers Line Up As Gas Shortage Continues

Gas lines stretched to lengths of dozens of cars and, in some cases, nearly a mile as drivers waited for fuel for their cars and generators Thursday as post-hurricane fuel shortages continued.

The line of cars waiting for the Gulf in Hillsdale stretched all the way down Broadway to Westwood Avenue. While Jennifer Garlan got gas for her car shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday, she told Patch she had been waiting on line since about 8:15. Employees at the station also said two women had gotten into a shouting match after one tried to cut in line.

Local police were out directing traffic at the gas stations, making sure the long lines did not block side streets or driveways.

"People are somewhat in a panic mode when it comes to buying gas," Hillsdale Police Chief Chip Stalter said.

Friday

Schools May Hold Extra Days Next Week

Local schools were closed for the entire week after winds from Hurricane Sandy brought down trees and telephone poles around the area, but school officials are considering making up two of the days next week.

Schools were scheduled to be closed next Thursday and Friday for the annual New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) convention in Atlantic City. The convention was canceled earlier this week due to the extensive damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Polling Locations Changed Due to Power Outages

Several polling locations in Westwood, Hillsdale and Washington Township for next week's election have been changed because of ongoing power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy.