Sandy devastates New Jersey

By LINDA SMITH HANCHARICK

WEST MILFORD — Hurricane Sandy brought devastation up the eastern seaboard, slamming into New Jersey, causing destruction from the shoreline to the Highlands. Millions are without power from downed utility lines and trees, and travel through much of the state, including West Milford, is hazardous and limited. Getting through the township is like going through a maze with trees across roads and power lines precariously dangling.

For some homeowners, Sandy was particularly disastrous, including Messenger writer/photographer Ginny Raue. As she worked in her home office Monday evening, Raue’s power went out at her Crescent Park area home. It was about 7 p.m. She lit candles and, without power and internet, she left her office unable to continue working. One hour later, at 8 p.m., a large oak tree crashed into her home, right in her home office.

“Thank goodness the lights were out,” said Raue, still shaken on Wednesday. “If not, I don’t know if I would have walked out of that office. I feel blessed, very blessed.”

Raue and her husband, Fred, were both home at the time. Fred was on one end of the house, with Raue on the other.

“I thought you’d hear a creek, hear a moan or something,” said Raue about the tree coming down. “But it came down so fast. It was mindboggling.”

The Raues had to leave their now-damaged home Monday night, with much of the township in the dark, rain falling and wind howling. They drove on roads with light posts leaning and trees falling around them, said Raue. And worst of all was the wires dangling. They followed a driver who was going under wires and around the trees, but they couldn’t get out of town. They ended up at the Hillcrest Community Center on Macopin Road, which is serving as a shelter for residents without power and water.

“I can’t say enough about Patty and Marlene (from Community Services and Recreation who manned the shelter),” said Raue. “They saw how upset I was when I walked in. They gave me a cup of tea and made sandwiches for us. They were wonderful.”

The Raues, who have lived in their Crescent Park home for 35 years, spent the night at Hillcrest, then headed back to their house for a few things. With the tree pulled up off the house, of course there was a gaping hole and the realization of just how lucky they were.

“I realized how lucky, how blessed we were to be on either side of that tree,” said Raue.

Be safe

Hillcrest continues to be open 24 hours a day, with showers available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for all residents needing a place to stay. Cots are available and residents should bring their own bedding. Electrical outlets are available for charging cell phones and laptops. A request has been made for potable water to distribute.

The Raues were far from the only ones to face devastating effects from Sandy. When they called the police to report the tree falling through their house, they were the 30th residents to do so.

Messenger reporter Patricia Keller and her family have been in darkness with their neighbors in the Oak Ridge section of town. Her neighbor had a tree fall on their cars. Keller had trees fall on her property with damages, but again no one was hurt. One of the things she noticed was the spirit among her neighbors and beyond with people helping each other. She photographed a tree that had fallen on another house in Crescent Park. Neighbors were everywhere, helping and supporting the homeowners. It brings out the best in most people, she observed.

Little or no gas

It’s not easy getting around town with so many trees and wires down and police recommend people stay at home rather than venture out. Crews are removing trees and wires from the roadways. That is the priority and must be done before work can be done to resume power. If residents can get out, they may have a hard time finding gas. Messenger photographer Don Webb reported that some stations totally ran out of gas on Monday, others by Tuesday. And lines were very long at the stations before they ran out. One resident on Facebook reported waiting over three hours for gas only for them to stop pumping before they reached her. Webb drove from West Milford to Little Ferry on Tuesday morning and, between no gas and no power, he said not one gas station was open.

School closed, roads open, still no power

School was closed all week. West Milford police report that, as of Wednesday, Lakeside Road and Greenwood Lake Turnpike are now open.

Officials from the utility companies have estimated that power can remain out for some residents up to two weeks.

The West Milford Messenger will continue to keep you updated on changes in road situations. Go to westmilfordmessenger.com for updates. If you have a story you want to share with Messenger readers, e-mail us at njoffice@strausnews.com.