Community Corner

Looking Back on Irene: Storm's Impact Catches Many by Surprise

On Aug. 27, 2011, the downgraded storm hit New Jersey and left its mark.

By the time Hurricane Irene was approaching New Jersey, what had once been a Category 1 hurricane had . 

While , but forecasters still warned residents to expect a storm with high winds and lots of rain—and the warning proved precient: the storm produced a torrential rain that caused flooding throughout the area, while high winds toppled trees and snapped limbs—resulting in broken power lines and a massive power outage that took nearly a week to resolve.

Warren Emergency Management Coordinator Jane Asch said it was the resulting power outage that proved most surprising to local officials. "That was kind of surprising," she said. 

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, a day before the storm hit, to review emergency plans—Department of Public Works crews cleared culverts and drainage areas to keep water flowing, police, firefighters and first aid squad members set schedules to stand by, and for the most part, those elements of the planning worked well.

But when Irene left early in the morning of Aug. 28, —including residents with special needs and seniors, and families relying on electrically-powered well water supplies. , while shops across enjoyed service.

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Asch said the , so much so that by the time the township experienced another long-term power supply cut after the nor-easter in October, the township repsonded by quickly arranging for water supplies.

But not having power also meant officials had no way to let residents know what was happening, when they could expect to get electricity restored, or what stores and businesses were open.  

"We started to put things on the cable channel and we started to (Warren Patch)," Asch said of the efforts to keep residents informed. The township's reverse 9-1-1 system was used—but officials didn't know who could receive messages with the power out.

Asch said the Township Committee members answered phones at the emergency management center, located in the police department, and went to neighborhoods to meet with residents.

Chief of Police Russell Leffert as the power outage dragged on through Tuesday and Wednesday after the Saturday night storm.

to share updates with residents on the ongoing effort to restore power and open roads closed by fallen trees and wires, as well as where water could be obtained. 

But despite all the challenges, Asch recalls an impressive community response that pulled together dozens of Warren's volunteer community and first responders.

"I remember the chief (Police Chief Russ Leffert) driving me to a meeting at the high school to see if we could set up a shelter at 4:30 in the morning, dodging tree limbs and branches," Asch said.

The call had come a little after 4 a.m. from the Red Cross, asking if Warren could provide and wouldn't be able to get to the planned shelter because of road closures.

Asch and Chief Leffert met with Watchung Hills Regional Superintendent Frances Stromsland and quickly devised a plan to open a shelter.

"We all met at the high school...when the storm was still going on," Asch said. "Within two hours, we had a fully-functioning, fully operational center.

"I was very proud of that," Asch said. "The fire department came and moved around bleachers and set up mats; the Rescue Squad set up a medical center...I was so proud."

That shelter proved integral to the Red Cross, as ultimately, other shelters in Somerset County filled up.

Next: Officials make further efforts to plan for emergencies, and JCP&L comes under fire at a Board of Public Utilities hearing for the company's response and communication after the storm.  


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