Middlesex County Declares State of Emergency

The township is getting ready to announce a few mandatory evacuations: Millman Drive, Jernee, and parts of Addington and Cornell, according to twitter.

Middlesex County Freeholder Director Christopher D. Rafano has declared a State of Emergency for Middlesex County effective 5 p.m. today (Sunday, Oct.  28) as Hurricane Sandy continues its path toward New Jersey.

“Declaring a State of Emergency gives the County Office of Emergency Management the ability to implement emergency plans and protocols, allows us to limit travel within the County if necessary, enables us to implement protective measures, including evacuation orders, to ensure the safety of our residents, and allows the County to make emergency purchases if resources are needed.”

Rafano's declaration follows Gov. Chris Christie's order for a statewide State of Emergency.

“This is in the best interest of all our residents, our emergency management personnel, our first responders and utility crews,” said Rafano.

“I urge all our residents and business owners to complete your storm preparations today. Make sure you have plans if you are asked to evacuate and expect the possibility of being without power."

No travel limits or evacuation orders have been put into place for Middlesex County as of 5 p.m. Sunday.

Experts expect the storm to hit the area early Monday morning, bringing sustained high winds, rain and possibly snow through Tuesday.

County officials are coordinating with local municipalities and with the State of New Jersey for overall response to the storm system.

The County's Emergency Operations Center will be staffed with 24-hour coverage throughout the duration of storm.

County officials have identified resources and are ready to activate sheltering plans, should they be needed.

All residents are instructed to contact their municipal Office of Emergency Management for information about shelters and other resources. (Please see below for a list of contact numbers for each town and information about various local resources.)

The county will operate two regional shelters for residents who cannot go to local shelters:

Old Bridge Shelter, Carl Sandburg School, 3439 Route 516, is now open (Sunday, Oct. 28).

Woodbridge, Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St., will open 10 p.m. today (Sunday, Oct. 28).

Please check back for updates on local resources.

Municipal Office of Emergency Management Numbersers

Carteret—732-541-4007

Shelters: Carteret Middle School - 220 Carteret Ave - opens 6 a.m. Monday
Nathan Hale School - Haywood & Roosevelt - opens 6 a.m. Monday

Cranbury—609-395-0031

Dunellen—732-968-3000

East Brunswick—732-432-6004

Reception Center - Trinity Presbyterian Church on Cranbury Road - opens 8 p.m. today (Sunday, Oct. 28).

Edison—732-248-7400

Shelter—Edison Senior Center - 2963 Woodbridge Ave. - opens 8 p.m. today

Helmetta—732-251-4100

Highland Park—732-572-3800

Jamesburg—732-521-0011

Metuchen—732-632-8500

Middlesex Borough—732-356-1900

Milltown—732-828-1100

Reception Center - Firehouses on Cottage Ave. and South Main St.

Monroe—732-521-0222

Shelter: Monroe Township High School - opening will be communicated via Reverse 911.

New Brunswick—732-745-5200

Free Parking for residents to move their cars to higher ground will be located at the Morris Street Parking deck

North Brunswick—732-247-7272

Old Bridge—732-721-5600

Perth Amboy—732-442-4400

Piscataway —732-562-1100

Painsboro —609-799-2333

Sayreville —732-727-4444

Senior Citizens Center, 425 Main St. - opens 8 a.m. Monday

South amboy —732-721-0111

South river —732-613-6112

South Brunswick—732-329-4646

South Plainfield —908-755-0700

Spotswood—732-251-2121

Woodbridge—732-634-7700

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