Classes have been cancelled on Monday and Tuesday for East Windsor and Hightstown public schools
By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
HIGHTSTOWN — On Saturday, measures were taken to lower Peddie Lake as volunteers and business owners worked to minimize the potential damage Hurricane Sandy could inflict upon the downtown.
The mega-storm is moving up the East Coast and is slated to turn toward land on Monday, bringing heavy winds, flooding and massive rainfall.
East Windsor Regional School District has cancelled classes on Monday and Tuesday.
The National Weather Service warned on Sunday that a very large and dangerous Hurricane Sandy was continuing to move parallel to the East Coast, with a turn to the northwest expected tonight and early Monday.
The NWS has issued high wind and coastal flood warnings, a flood watch and hazardous weather outlook for East Windsor and Hightstown.
Sandy is expected to make landfall along the central New Jersey coast Monday evening, the NWS said.
Hightstown non-essential offices will be closed on Monday, including bulk pick-up.
”Residents are advised to take extreme caution and take all preventative measures possible and heed all warnings in regards to the impending storm,” the borough website stated Sunday.
And in East Windsor, due to the impending storm, there will be no garbage collection on Monday, Oct. 29, and Tuesday, Oct. 30.
”In preparation for the storm, East Windsor Township staff are making every effort to clear all of the storm drains and to vacuum all of the leaves in the gutters to reduce the chance of localized street flooding,” the township website stated on Sunday.
According to an 8 p.m. advisory issued by the NWS, Sandy is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge flooding to the New York Harbor, as well as coastal hurricane winds and heavy Appalachian snows.
The storm is anticipated to impact 60 million Americans.
Across the nation, Hurricane Sandy is being referred to as Frankenstorm.
Hurricane Sandy is set to merge with a freezing cold front from the west and as well as Arctic air from the north, according to the Associated Press. Hence its name — Frankenstorm.
Additionally, there will be a full moon tomorrow night, Oct. 29, which creates high tides.
”We are doing everything we can with our Emergency Management plan and our resources to ensure safety and minimize any possible damages,” said Michael Theokas, Hightstown’s business administrator, on Friday.
An Emergency Reception Center will be set up in the Hightstown High School gymnasium during the storm, according to Hightstown’s website. Information for emergency assistance, restrooms and electricity to charge cells phones will be available at the center as needed.
Gov. Chris Christie on Saturday declared a state of emergency throughout New Jersey ahead of Hurricane Sandy reaching the Garden State.
State offices will be closed on Monday, as will New Jersey Transit lines, the governor announced on Sunday.
”I am urging all New Jerseyans to take every possible and reasonable precaution to ready themselves for the storm’s potential impact,” Gov. Chris Christie said.
Hurricane Sandy is set to hit New Jersey 13 months after Hurricane Irene devastated Hightstown’s downtown. Borough Hall never reopened after Irene, and its future is the topic of frequent debate at council meetings. The municipal government now operates out of the Public Works building on Bank Street.
Chief LarryVan Kirk, of Hightstown Engine No. 1, said on Saturday that steps were being taken to protect the borough’s infrastructure including the water plant.
The water plant, as well as Hightstown’s historic downtown, was flooded during Hurricane Irene last year and remained off-line for several days. There was also a boil alert in place in the borough at that time.
From New York to Pennsylvania, bottled water was sold out at many businesses over the weekend, and some stations were out of gasoline Sunday.
East Windsor and Hightstown have issued Hurricane Sandy warnings for residents online.
As of Sunday evening, the NWS forecast 70-mph winds on Monday night in East Windsor and Hightstown. Rainfall is slated for the township and borough throughout the week, with the heaviest rainfall predicated for the area on Monday.
According to the Office of the Governor, “Drivers are advised to drive with caution, follow the rules of the road, stay alert and respect the weather elements that may impact their drive. Unnecessary travel is not recommended.”
For more information, visit www.weather.gov or www.state.nj.us.
Motorists may check current road conditions via the New Jersey Department of Transportation, www.NJ511.info.