Verona, Cedar Grove Await Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy is imminently approaching and both Verona and Cedar Grove townships, as well as residents, are prepared and ready to batten down the hatches. 

Both townships spent Friday removing leaves from gutters, cleaning out catch-basins and unclogging the Peckman River. 

Both townships are reminding residents not to put any more leaves in the street until the storm passes.

There will not be any garbage or recycling collection in Verona on Tuesday Oct. 30 or bulk pickup on Wednesday Oct. 31., the township announced through its online NIXLE system.

The leaf dump on Commerce Court in Verona will be open 24/7 from now until further notice, the township said on Sunday.

“At this time, we are requesting that you take the necessary precautions in case you experience a lengthy power outage or flooding,” the township said. “To assist with this effort, the township has a limited supply of sand and sandbags for residents at the Department of Public Works garage.”

Sandbags will be available at 10 Ozone Ave. in Verona from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. every day until the storm has passed. 

“Special needs persons, such as oxygen dependent, wheelchair or bed bound, or those who require electricity to administer medication are asked to contact the Verona Police Department to be entered into our medical needs database,” police said.

The non-emergency number for police is (973) 239-5000.

The Cedar Grove Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad are mobilizing and 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 Superintendent Dr. Gene Polles and the board of education will be making the decision whether to close schools by 10 p.m. Sunday night, said Board of Education President Frank Mandala Sunday afternoon.

Verona Schools will be closed.

Super Foodtown, located at 597 Pompton Ave. in Cedar Grove has had every register going since Friday, said store manager Michael Buck on Sunday.

“We have been selling a lot of water, milk, bread, ice, coolers, canned foods, dried foods, firewood, you name it,” he said. “We have a backup generator so if power goes out we will still be up and running.”

They still have a lot of water and milk but bread is running light, he said.

For more information or assistance call: 

Police Department EMERGENCY - 9-1-1

Verona Police Department - Non-emergency – (973) 239-5000

Cedar Grove Police Department - Non-emergency - (973) 239-4100

Public Service Electric & Gas Company - (800) 436-7734

Verizon Fios - (800) 837-4996

Comcast Cable - (800) COMCAST

Other Resources include:

Verona Police Department

Verona NIXLE service

Cedar Grove Police Deparment

Cedar Grove NIXLE service 

State Police NIXLE service

National Weather Service

National Hurricane Center

New Jersey Office of Emergency Management