New Brunswick Mayor Declares New Brunswick Roads Closed to All Except Emergency Personnel, Parts of Route 18 Inacessible from the City

looding in the city has caused dramatic flooding on parts of Route 18, resulted in mandatory evacuations in some neighborhoods, and caused the mayor to sign a declaration banning non-emergency vehicles from city roads until Monday morning.

According to a release from Mayor Jim Cahill's office, all non-emergency vehicles are ordered to keep off New Brunswick roads until 6 a.m. Monday.

On Sunday afternoon, several streets were closed due to downed trees, including a section of Suydam Street between Commercial Avenue and Throop Street, and Townsend Street, between Commercial Ave. and Jones Avenue.

The northbound side of Route 18 is closed north of the Douglass campus George Street exit, and Route 18 south is closed south of Huntington Street to Newell Avenue, according to the release.

Traffic is still flowing into New Brunswick from Route 18 south from Piscataway, Livingston Avenue and Easton Avenue, according to the release.

Additionally, Route 1 to College Farm Road was also easily accesible on Sunday.

The following neighborhoods were issued at 2 a.m. Sunday for the following neighborhoods, according to the release:  5-10 Denis Street, 100 Hiram Square, 33 Commercial Avenue, and Riverside Apartments. All residents in those areas are to evacuate their homes, and may not be able to be rescued by city emergency responders in the event of an emergency if they do not evacuate, the release said.

“We are asking residents to use an abundance of caution and common sense in the wake of this storm. Skies may clear but dangers still exist in our area. If you have been ordered to evacuate, please do so immediately. If you are not personally involved with emergency response activities, please stay in your home until Monday morning. Your cooperation will ensure a safer and faster response by City, County and State emergency response personnel,” said Cahill, in the prepared release.

No water restrictions exist at this time, the release said.

Earlier this afternoon, Rutgers spokesman E.J. Miranda said that no major damage was reported to any Rutgers campuses or student housing, aside from some water in dormitory basements.

Students seeking up-to-date information about the storm's effect on the campuses should call RU Info 732-445-4636, or visit the Rutgers website at www.rutgers.edu.

Additionally, city residents can park their cars in any city Parking Authority Deck, except for the Ferren Mall deck, for free until Tuesday, the release said.