Livingston Battered By Storm: 4K Lose Power, 100 Trees Down

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Tropical Storm Isaias hit Livingston hard on Tuesday, battering the area with heavy winds that tore down power lines and ripped trees out of the ground.

Now – a day after the storm – Livingston residents are still dealing with the havoc left in its wake.

According to PSE&G’s outage map, 4,223 out of 8,508 customers in Livingston were still affected as of 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

PSE&G expects that at least 85 percent of its customers who are still without power will have it restored by Friday night, spokespeople said.

• See related article: 50K Still Without Power In Essex County After Storm

“The high winds and heavy rain brought by Tropical Storm Isaias is resulting in numerous trees, branches and wires coming down throughout town,” Livingston officials said Tuesday evening.

Police Chief Gary Marshuetz cautioned residents to assume all downed wires are still energized and avoid them.

“The Livingston Police Department is working closely with our electric utilities to repair wires and restore service to all affected areas as quickly and safely as possible,” officials said Tuesday evening.

However, Livingston police saw some storm-related woes of their own, authorities said.

The Livingston Police Department issued another update via social media:

“We will continue to update our residents as the information becomes available. As you can imagine, we have a very fluid situation. Power companies have and will continue to be notified of all related power issues. We are working with the Department of Public Works to have them remove trees and debris around town where and when possible. We want to remind all of our residents that should you see any lines down on your property or in the roadway, you are to assume that they are energized. Please do not go near them and instead, call our headquarters. Thank you for your patience and understanding and please stay safe.”

Phone lines and internet access also went down at Livingston Town Hall during the storm, officials said.

Additional storm-related troubles in Livingston included tree damage and a power outage at Haines Pool, which was closed until further notice.

When it was done, the storm tore down more than 100 trees with its 65 to 75 mph winds, Livingston town officials said Wednesday afternoon.

NorthJersey FireNews tweeted photos of a large tree on Thurston Drive that was completely uprooted in the storm.

Beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Livingston residents who have lost power at home and need to charge small devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops can do so at the Livingston Senior/Community Center (lower level), located at 204 Hillside Avenue.

The following guidelines apply:

• Outlets will be available; please bring your own charger. Charging cables and wall plugs will not be provided.
• Face coverings are required.
• Maintain a distance of 6 feet away from anyone not from your household.

The Livingston Senior/Community Center building hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

TREE DEBRIS CLEANUP

To assist residents in cleaning up, Livingston’s Department of Public Works will be making a sweep through town to pick up storm-related branches and debris on Monday, Aug. 10.

Residents have until the night of Sunday, Aug. 9, to place storm-related branches and debris at their curb. Trucks will make one pickup throughout town, following Leaf Collection Sections; residents can find their section here.

“Please note that trucks will only pick up storm-related branches and debris,” town officials said. “Do not put grass clippings, plants, leaves, or other items at the curb, as they will not be picked up.”

Once trucks have picked up the debris on a street or completed a section, they will not return. It will then be the property owner’s responsibility to arrange privately for the removal and disposal of the storm-related branches and debris, officials said.

Additional questions can be directed to the Department of Public Works at 973-992-5000, ext. 5522. More information can also be found on the town’s website.

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