Hurricane Sandy aftermath day 3, still no power, no info, no school

Sometime overnight AT&T got their cell service back up, my phone is working again! And that's all the good news I've got today.

When we woke up this morning the temperature was 40 degrees outside, and 50 inside. Even the cat was shivering.

I contacted PSE&G for an update on our power and they told me there were no reports of outages in my area. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? That's the same song-and-dance they gave my neighbors when they called too. Must be their standard response. Obviously their call center dudes don't have any info either. Heckuva way to run a railroad there Ralph.

Via an official Press Release from the Borough of Caldwell:

At the direction of Governor Chris Christie, Halloween will be celebrated on Monday, November 5, 2012.

Because Halloween is what's on everyone's mind, right? Must be, since this is like the 17th time the town has made an announcement about it. At least all the politicians have finally agreed on a date. Has anyone told PSE&G? I'm thinking Ralph ain't in the loop on this one.

For the latest information regarding power restoration in your area, please call PSE&G at 1-800-436-7734.

Gee, thanks for the tip. Oh wait, you guys are serious?

There is currently power on Bloomfield Avenue from Forest Avenue to Prospect Street. Many of the merchants in this area are open for business.

Which is exactly how things stood immediately after the storm passed. Progress? None. Thanks PSE&G!

The NJEA cancelled their annual teachers convention union meeting, which was scheduled for next week in Atlantic City. Sadly most of AC is still under water, and the devastation there is catastrophic. Fact is, there's no place there for the NJEA to have a convention. So, good call.

And if you made plans for that artificial four-day-weekend, well sucks to be you I guess.

The schools are closed again, for the fourth day in a row. No word on Friday yet, but since PSE&G is harder to find than Waldo and only 2 schools have power, I doubt school will be open.

Still can't find ice. Or gasoline.

NJ Transit's #29 bus seems to be running again. And I saw a Decamp #33 go by yesterday so presumably at least some folks are able to get into New York City.

And finally, for the laugh of the day, while Barry and Chris Christie were helicoptering over the remains of the Jersey Shore, someone wrote "ROMNEY" in large letters in the sand at the north end of Point Pleasant Beach.

Ouch!

UPDATE 01 Nov 2012 12:50:
Just got the word that Caldwell public schools are closed tomorrow (Friday November 2nd) too.

UPDATE 01 Nov 2012 17:22:
Stop the presses! We might have power by Monday!

Mayor Dassing told The Caldwells Patch that she spoke with PSE&G.

Here's hoping she's right!

Posted at 12:21 by Chris Wysocki   [/caldwell]   Comments | Perm Link |
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