To Mario DeMarco, the co-owner of Basilico, Irene was a tougher customer than Floyd. The restaurant was flooded in both hurricanes, but after Floyd, Basilico re-opened in eight days. When it opens its doors on Wednesday for the first time since Aug. 27, it will have been closed 24 days for cleanup and recovery this time. "It was the mud this time," said DeMarco. "In Floyd, it was mostly water. This time there was a ton of mud." Some of the paint is still drying, the patio is still a mess, but DeMarco is determined to be open on time on Wednesday. Not to put the pressure on, but Downtown …
The Township Council honored Livingston’s first responders during Hurricane Irene on Monday night. Township Manager Michele Meade said that despite working under unprecedented conditions, which included heavy winds and 10 inches of rain, the township's personnel was prepared to do their job just as they are on any ordinary day. "None of the work that they did was extraordinary to them," she said. The township was prepared to the best of its capabilities before the first drops of rain fell in the township, Meade said. Being ready was vital as all facets of the township were busy as the storm …
Editor’s Note: When Irene moved into Millburn, it became quickly evident that it was going to be bad. Rising waters led to major flooding downtown and in low lying neighborhoods. The continued rain on oversaturated ground and high winds uprooted trees, which would send thousands of homes into darkness for more than a week. Many homes were without water. “We are getting better at this after a week,” one resident said. “But last week it was Swiss Family Robinson, Short Hills style.” On Labor Day, there was no rest for the weary. There was no day off for Millburn residents trying to dry out and …
If you are looking forward to some great New Jersey shellfish, look no further. In fact, don’t look at all because there has been a ban on shellfish from New Jersey waters since August 27, the day before Irene hit. The ban continues until further notice. According to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, commercial, and recreational harvesters, as well as certified shellfish dealers, are restricted from distributing or consuming shellfish from the state’s closed shellfish beds because of the threat of bacteria borne illness. Because of the excessive run off and disturbances in NJ …
President Barack Obama, wearing a blue buttoned-down shirt, waved to a crowd along Passaic Avenue in Fairfield Sunday from the back of his black motorcade car as he sped toward Paterson to tour the flood-ravaged city. Obama could be seen briefly in his motorcade after arriving at Essex County's airport in Fairfield in one of five military helicopters that landed between 12:25 and 12:45 p.m. Police presence was heavy all along Passaic Avenue, while sharpshooters could be seen on top of the buildings at the airport. A line of buses were parked in front of the landing area so the view of his …
After touring two northern New Jersey towns ravaged by Hurricane Irene, President Barack Obama assured residents Sunday that the federal government will help them rebuild. "We are going to make sure we provide the resources needed," Obama said while touring Paterson, a city of roughly 150,000 that witnessed severe flooding during Irene because of its proximity to the Passaic River. "I want to make it very clear we are going to meet our federal obligations." Obama visited Paterson and Wayne for an hour-and-a-half total with a delegation that included Gov. Chris Christie, U.S. Sens. Frank …
PATERSON — Muddied televisions, downed wires and drowned cars are all that remain on the streets of this northern New Jersey city's neighborhood. The storm that caused mass flooding and wreaked such havoc passed nearly a week ago. But just before President Barack Obama's visit Sunday to the area, some residents walked into their homes for the first time and stood in disbelief as they wallowed in the devastation. "This all got to be thrown away," said Patricia Horner, 65, as she walked through her waterlogged, two-story home on Watson Street in Paterson. The carpet squished with every step and…
As residents statewide clean up from the rains, flooding and storm-related damage from Hurricane Irene, Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company suggests the following 10 tips to protect you and your property from unscrupulous contractors and from getting scammed: 1. Take your time in choosing true professionals to repair your home. 2. Get estimates from several licensed, bonded contractors.3. Check their credentials with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs or your local Better Business Bureau.4. Inspect contractors’ licenses and proof of liability insurance.5. Get a contract or estimate…
The Livingston residents boiling their drinking water will still need to do so for at least part of the Labor Day weekend. While the advisory has been lifted in parts of neighboring towns, Livingston is waiting for verification from New Jersey American Water Co., Mayor Rudy Fernandez said on Friday night. Once lifted, Livingston will need an additional 24 hours to test the water in the township’s distribution system. The water situation affecting about 100 streets in Livingston, mostly those bordering Millburn and West Orange, is among the lingering problems from last weekend’s storm. A …
Updated: Friday, 11 a.m. Water: About 100 streets are still advised to continue boiling water before drinking because of damage during the storm at NJ American Water’s treatment plant in Millburn. (Learn here which streets are affected and why you should boil water here). Power: Lights are being turned on throughout town. As of Thursday evening, only 24 JCP&L customers were still in the dark. (That number dropped to 13 on Friday morning). PSE&G reported only 5 customers without power and expected to have all of Livingston restored Friday. “It’s amazing how one adjusts to read by candle and …
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs is warning residents to beware of shady businesses and vendors showing up in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Neal Buccino, a spokesman with the division, said there already have been about 50 reports of price gouging in NJ since the storm — on items including bottled water, gasoline and hotel rooms. Meanwhile, Jersey Central Power and Light say criminal opportunists are taking advantage of flood conditions. The power company warns residents to be on the look out for thieves pulling down power lines to strip out copper wire for resale as scrap. In a …
Picking up the pieces after a natural disaster can be difficult – especially if your property’s had heavy damage. Even if your home has been properly insured, there are still steps that need to be taken to ensure a timely response from your insurance company. Here’s some advice from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance: The first thing you should do is notify your insurance company of the loss. Although you can do this by telephone, it might be a good idea to follow up in writing and create a paper trail. Remember to notify your insurer, not the broker who sold you the policy. …
We’re not sure what they were fishing for, but the motor boat cruising across Dorsa Avenue – that’s right, a street in Livingston – was the latest sign the floodwaters destroying large parts of the state are being felt in a few places that sit along the Passaic River in Livingston. The ball fields near Okner Parkway are also underwater, and police observed fish swimming around in the field. On Tuesday, state officials asked President Barack Obama to quickly declare New Jersey to be a major disaster area after Hurricane Irene ravaged the state with dangerous winds and torrents of rain this …
Well before the state and nation tally the costs of Hurricane Irene (which is expected in the billions), Jessie Fox has a total. “I bought water, flashlights, batteries, a new shop vac, paper towels, wipes, and much more,” she explains, pulling a sheaf of receipts from her purse. “I am into four figures, well into four figures,” she says. “And I didn’t even buy a generator.” Fox acknowledges that the $1,100 dollars she spent on food, water, auxiliary lights, gas for the cars and trash bags isn’t wasted. “I’ll use the gas, obviously,” she explains. “We’ll eat the food. But, still, it was a …
Businesses struggling to clean up after Irene may be eligible for assistance services offered by the NJ Business Action Center. The services include: 1. Access to lines of credit of up to $500,000 for businesses that need access to cash to improve their damaged property while awaiting insurance proceeds. 2. Grant awards for businesses to assist with on-the-job training costs for new workers hired specifically to assist in disaster-related activities, such as landscaping and tree removal, construction, insurance claims, building supplies sales, materials transport, utility work, call and …
More than 500 Livingston homes have been told to boil tap water before drinking. Others are bailing out the brook that flooded their homes. Many are without power, 800 or so homes still dark since Sunday. Under a beautiful blue sky, nature’s fury was plain to see. Dozens of trees uprooted, resting on homes or just brushing close by. And Livingston counts itself lucky. Irene killed two dozen people (the number still rising) when it struck the Eastern Seaboard over the weekend. Damage is estimated in the billions. Images are filled with rescues, rushing water and record floods. “You put it in …
Updated: Monday, 6 p.m. Train service to New York City will begin to resume on Tuesday after NJ Transit suspended rail service today because of damage caused from Hurricane Irene. NJ Transit and DeCamp provided bus service during the Monday commute. The NY subway system was partially restored. Path trains were running. NJ Transit bus service is operating a modified weekday schedule on Monday, with fewer trips operating during peak periods on some routes. There will be no rail service for the New York Giants/New York Jets game scheduled for Monday evening. NJ TRANSIT is advising customers of …
Updated with street names, Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. More than 500 Livingston homes have been told to boil their water for at least another day before drinking, township and NJ American Water Co. officials said on Monday. Tap water was possibly contaminated at the Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Millburn when the plant flooded and lost power during Hurricane Irene, the company said. The areas affected in Livingston are neighborhoods that border West Orange and Millburn, including streets near Mt. Pleasant School, Broadlawn, the Cherry Hill and Bellaire sections, the Cedar Gate development, …
Updated 6 p.m. Monday Utility crews from Ohio began streaming into Livingston late Sunday to help with the massive cleanup of wires and power outages after Irene. More than 1,000 homes in Livingston are without power, according to Jersey Central Power & Light, and it could take several days to be restored. PSE&G is also reporting outages in Livingston, although the numbers are less. Statewide, PSE&G said 700,000 customers are without power. The storm caused massive outages throughout the state and Gov. Chris Christie said it could take five to seven days before lights turn back on. "While the…
Which was worse? The floods that transformed village streets into raging torrents? Or the wind that ripped trees asunder, sending limbs crashing down on power lines just when we were desperate to keep the sump pumps going? Unfortunately, Irene didn't give us a choice, with a two-pronged nighttime assault that left the state reeling. Our photographers were out early on Sunday to capture the aftermath.
