Community Corner

Verona, Cedar Grove Ready For Sandy

Businesses remain open in both towns, but gas stations closing, running short. Cedar Grove announces schools closed Tuesday.


[UPDATED: 2:30 P.M.]

Verona and Cedar Grove are ready to face Sandy.

Some residential streets seem like a ghost-town, with people staying inside while the wind and rain start to pick up. There were no joggers, dog walkers or even cars parked in the streets.

Other areas, such as Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove and Bloomfield Avenue in Verona were business as usual. Various bagel, pizza, delis and sandwich shops are open in both towns as well as supermarkets.

Find out what's happening in Verona-Cedar Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Both Kings Supermarket on Pompton Avenue in Verona and Super Foodtown on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove are open with residents shopping for last minute items in full force.

“We came out to go to the bank to make a deposit but they were closed,” said Cedar Grove resident Andrea Carter. Carter and her three-year old daughter, Madelyn, were shopping at Super Foodtown in their rain gear Monday afternoon. “We got some meats, bread and water. They seem to be pretty well stocked.”

Find out what's happening in Verona-Cedar Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Super Foodtown will remain open and stocked with the help of their backup generator said store manager Michael Buck on Sunday.

“I think its crazy to have any stores open in a state of emergency,” said Super Foodtown employee Patti Oefinger. She said she will be working until 9 p.m. Monday night.

In case of extreme situations, the Verona Community Center will be able to house residents but it depends on the nature and the extent of the power outage, said Township Manager Joseph Martin on Friday.

Verona will be holding an Office of Emergency Management meeting on Monday at 4 p.m. 

“The Cedar Grove Rescue and Ambulance Squad and the Cedar Grove Library are ready to be used as a warming station if that becomes necessary,” said Mayor Peter Tanella. “We are not looking to use them as of now but if the power does go out we are prepared.”

Residents who need to leave their homes must first call the Cedar Grove Police Department at (973) 239-4100.

“Right now we are telling people to stay indoors and to stay safe,” said Tanella.

The Cedar Grove Police and Fire departments, as well as the Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad are prepared for 24-hour staffing, said Cedar Grove Chief of Police Richard Vanderstreet.

“The rescue squad is also prepared to open their building as a conference center on a 24-hour basis if it becomes necessary,” he said.

Cedar Grove school officials announced a short while ago schools will be closed Tuesday, Oct. 30 because of the storm.

Just down the road, residents were stocking up on gas at the Exxon station on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove. The Exxon is the last gas station open in town, said owner and manager Bob Twinan, but they won't be for long, he said.

“We've been very busy, people need gas,” he said. “We just got a delivery on Saturday but we are going to run out shortly once the trucks stop delivering because of the wind.”

One of the last customers getting gas was Cedar Grove resident Tom Kennedy.

“I need to make sure I have enough gas for my generator and for my cars,” he said.

Jay Muly of W&J Landscaping and Maintenance was also filling up his truck.

“I've got 40 gallons of gas for my machines and truck,” he said. “I managed to get a generator and a new sump pump. Im all ready to go but getting ready for the worst.”

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