SOUTH BRUNSWICK: N’oreaster pounds region, leads to power outages, road closings

   Three days of mostly pounding rain and heavy winds uprooted trees, flooded roads and left thousands in the township without power over the weekend.
   The South Brunswick Police Department reported Sunday night that it had received more than 500 calls for police service between 3 p.m. Friday and 10 p.m. Sunday.
   A summary of damage and problems caused by the storm include:

  • More than 72 trees reported down throughout the township;
  • Power outages across the township;
  • Traffic lights out on Route 1 for more than 12 hours;
  • Flooding throughout the township, including the overflowing of the pond at Dow Jones, which forced the closure of Route 1 near Ridge Road.

   Police said it was the worst flooding in South Brunswick in 15 years.
   Sections of Sand Hills Road were closed throughout most of the weekend, according to eye-witness reports.
   South Brunswick public schools were closed Monday because of power outages and downed trees and it is not clear when power will be restored to the homes and businesses that remain in the dark, police said.
   Police did not have any reports of injuries or evacuations, but reports were still coming in from the Office of Emergency Management, police said.
   "This is one of the worst storms in terms of damage and flooding in over 15 year", said Chief Raymond Hayducka. "This storm has devastated homeowners with water in their basements, schools with power outages, and roadways with trees and power lines down."