Nearly 9K Without Power In Wayne Township After Isaias Hits NJ

WAYNE, NJ — Tropical Storm Isaias brought heavy rains and downed trees and limbs Tuesday, knocking out power for thousands in the process.

On Wednesday, 6,823 residents are still without power in Wayne Township, and service restoration could take days.

Jersey Central Power and Light reports 2,121 customers without power as of 4:35 p.m., nearly 97 percent of their customers. PSE&G reports 4,702 customers without power as of 4:30 p.m., over 31 percent of their customers.

PSE&G reports 18,256 customers in Passaic County without power, and Jersey Central reports 15,507 without power across the county.

According to a statement from PSE&G, the company is calling in additional help to aid in their restoration efforts.

"Tropical Storm Isaias has caused power outages and we are responding safely and as quickly as possible. Additional personnel from out of state utilities are assisting our own crews," read the statement.

The company requested 1,700 additional workers from Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Nova Scotia, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.

The storm is affecting the Wayne Animal Shelter, the township announced Tuesday, as the shelter's phone and email services are down.

The township announced a new road closure around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday caused by downed telephone poles and wires.

Garbage and recycling collection will continue as usual Wednesday, the township said, unless roadways are blocked by downed trees or limbs.

In a series of tweets, the township explained how cleanup will work and how residents can best dispose of downed limbs.

"The Township is currently working to clear roadways and remove trees from wires. Township trees and branches from Township trees will be picked up by the Township," officials said.

"Any other vegetative waste including large branches, or cut up trees will be picked up as Vegetative Waste under your normal vegetative waste collection schedule. Vegetative waste must be in containers, paper bags, or tied in bundles."

The maximum size of branches is no more than 4-feet long and no more than 4-inches in diameter, according to the township.

Wayne's Police Department announced on Facebook yesterday that the department and the Office of Emergency Management are responding to the aftermath of the storm.

They ask that residents take caution around downed wires, and report any damages, downed wires and limbs or dangerous situations.