Essex County Storms, Water Main Breaks Cause Delays, Outages

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The weekend weather hit North Jersey and Essex County hard, causing power outages, property damage and commuter delays that spilled over to Monday morning, officials reported.

Meanwhile, multiple water main breaks in the Essex County area compounded issues from the storm, wreaking havoc in Newark and forcing emergency repairs.

Issues with flooding and lost power were also reported across the state. Thousands lost power, several streets flooded and at there was at least one fatal crash reported on the New Jersey Turnpike during the two-day storm on Sunday and Monday morning.

• See related article: NJ Storm: Fatal Crash, Flooding, Wind Advisory

On Sunday, PSE&G issued an alert about the coming storm, warning customers that they should prepare their homes for high winds that can “cause flying debris and bring down trees and power lines.”

To report downed wires or power outages, call PSE&G’s customer service line at 1-800- 436-PSEG. Customers can also report outages by logging into their PSE&G account online, or by texting “OUT” to 4PSEG (47734).

PSE&G outage information is updated on the company’s “Outage Map,” which can be seen here.

TRANSIT DELAYS

Amtrak Northeast stated early Monday morning that service between Boston and New Haven, CT, was suspended “due to power outages from downed trees.”

Meanwhile, NJ Transit reportedthat Newark Light Rail Service was suspended in both directions on Monday morning between Orange Street and Bloomfield Avenue due to flooding from a nearby water main break at Park Avenue.

Newark officials provided the following statement at 7:46 a.m. about the main break:

“Newark police and firefighters responded to 259 North 5th Street due to a water main break that began at approximately 4:30 a.m. Due to flooding, police have closed North 5th Street from 4th Avenue to 6th Avenue and Park Avenue from 1st Street to 6th. Drivers and others are advised to avoid flooded streets and to refrain from driving around or moving barricades at flooded streets.”

The water main break at Park Avenue took place as the city still reeled from Sunday’s storm and rainfall, Newark authorities said.

According to a Newark Police Department alert sent on Sunday night:

“Due to heavy rainfall today, many streets are flooded and should be avoided. Further, drivers and others are advised to avoid flooded streets or parking in low lying locations and to refrain from driving around or moving barricades at flooded streets. Because flooding is occurring at the below listed locations as well as at many other locations, motorists risk the possibility of becoming stranded by driving through flooded streets or parking in lowing lying locations where high water is or will likely accumulate. Motorists are encouraged to avoid these locations.”

• See related article: Newark Water Main Break Delays Light Rail Service

MONTCLAIR WATER MAIN

A break to a 20-inch water main in Montclair took place at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, town officials reported. The water main break was isolated at 10:30 p.m., officials said.

The effects of the main break extended to the town’s borders with Verona, West Orange, Cedar Grove and Montclair State University, officials said.

• See related article: Montclair 'Boil Water Alert' Issued After Water Main Break

Montclair officials provided the following statement about the break early Monday morning:

“We are filling the system back up to regain water pressure for all our customers. We are issuing a boil water alert for all customers from North Mountain to the Verona line, South Mountain to the Verona line to West Orange border. Upper Mountain up to Cedar Grove line including Montclair State University. Once the repair is made water samples will be taken and the results take 24 hours. While this is precautionary, since the pressure drop occurred we are following main break guidance by the NJDEP.”

Due to a “severe wind weather advisory,” Montclair officials suspended refuse (section I) and recycling (Area B) collection for Monday. No make-up collection was planned, officials said.

CEDAR GROVE POWER OUTAGE

On Monday morning, Cedar Grove police reported that “high winds” caused a power outage in the entire south end of the township.

“Use caution, wires are down, and traffic lights are out,” police wrote at 5:41 a.m. “Public Service is working to restore power. Please call PSE&G for return of power time frame updates.”

BLOOMFIELD

In Bloomfield, the Third River spilled over its banks on Sunday following a day of continuous rain, TAP Into Bloomfield reported.

GLEN RIDGE

Glen Ridge police reported a power outage in the area of Forest Avenue between Cambridge and Sunset.

Power was restored in the area of Forest Avenue, Glen Ridge police stated at 7:04 a.m.

If there are any further power-related issues, residents can contact the Glen Ridge Police Department at (973)748-5400, authorities said.

Send local news tips, storm/outage photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com