New Jersey Senators Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez have asked the president to grant the state a disaster declaration and speed up the process of getting grant money to help fix the damage caused by Irene. "Hurricane Irene caused extensive damage to public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, public parks and government facilities, and local governments will face enormous challenges as they try to rebuild," the senators said in a joint press release. Spokesman for the city of Hoboken, Juan Melli, said that the city reached out to Sen. Lautenberg's office to discuss receiving some funding…

In the seven years Craig Caruso has lived in his duplex apartment on Garden and Newark Streets, he has never seen the flooding as bad as during Irene. "It was one of the most depressing things I've ever seen in my life," Caruso, 37, said about seeing the basement floor slowly fill with water. Looking around the mess in his place and the dirty floor, he said, "it's disgusting." About a foot and a half of sewage water seeped through his wood floor on early Sunday morning during the height of the storm. Soaked books, debris and other trash was scattered around his soaked—and thus, destroyed—…

Paul, meet Irene. Irene, meet Paul. During the height of the hurricane, 29-year-old Paul Decker from Glens Falls, NY, decided to jump in the Hudson River “for the thrill,” according to police. Decker was together with a friend, who lives in Hoboken, and decided to pull a prank and swim to the nearby sail boats, according to police reports. Decker then jumped and his friend—recording this on his cell phone—lost sight of him shortly after “and began to call out for him,” according to police reports. His friend then returned to his apartment on uptown Clinton Street, changed his clothes and went…

Normalcy seemed to have returned to Hoboken on Monday morning, with clear and sunny skies over the city, a clear view across the river and stores and restaurants open for business. Now, what's left to do, is the clean up of the city, as Hobokenites wait for the last portions of flood water to recede. Environmental Services crews were out collecting debris and taking care of fallen trees, while the fire department hosed down sludge, according to the city. The parking authority didn't enforce street cleaning parking rules, because a lot of people who evacuated may not have returned yet. On …

Mayor Dawn Zimmer, together with other city officials, delivered extra food, water and ice to residents of the Hoboken Housing Authority in an amphibious truck on Sunday afternoon, where residents were stranded because of flooding and loss of power. City officials said it will take a couple of days—multiple tide cycles—until the water fully recedes. Members of the National Guard drove the truck through the city, splashing through the most flooded parts of town as the only vehicle fully equiped to drive through five feet-deep water, and stocked it up with supplies.  The water in the …

If you're going to be in Hoboken during the impending storm, here are some numbers as well as tips and tricks to get through the weekend. A command center has been set up in City Hall, which will be open all night. The command center can be reached at: 201-239-6643/6644.  A shelter has been set up at the Wallace School at 11th and Willow Streets. Pets are also allowed, but must be caged. Calls are already coming in, with questions about evacuation. The city is still urging all residents to leave town, because of the potential for severe flooding and loss of power. The police force will also …

Although the Hoboken Housing Authority seemed to have suffered most severely from Hurricane Irene, power in multiple buildings was turned back on. Hobokenites who decided to leave were allowed back into the city, officials announced, but were urged to wait until Sunday evening when a lot of the water will have receded. Water was receding in most streets. The shelter was planned to stay open until 8 a.m. at the Wallace School. Mayor Dawn Zimmer and several staff members delivered water and food late afternoon on Sunday to the last regions of town that needed help, such as the housing authority…

It might have been sunny, clear and breezy on Friday afternoon, but the anticipation of Irene hung in the air. Hobokenites walking on Washington were talking about it on their phones. Others stopped in front of a flood map placed in front of City Hall as a way to urge people to leave town. The city's leaders and emergency responders walked in and out of City Hall all afternoon. And Irene isn't even here yet. On Friday afternoon, as most people realized the severity of this storm, some residents were headed out of town while others said they would stick around. Hurricane Irene is supposed to …

Dear Hoboken Residents,Hurricane Irene may reach the New York City as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. It is expected to arrive sometime on Saturday evening. If the storm remains at the predicted strength and reaches us at high tide, it could be one of the worst storms our City has ever faced. Very strong winds are forecast, so trees may be uprooted and power outages are very likely. Governor Christie has said that “from a flooding perspective this could be a 100-year event.”   I am extremely concerned about the potential for severe flooding and am calling for a voluntary evacuation. I strongly …

Gov. Chris Christie has ordered NJ Transit and other public transportation to suspend services as of Saturday, in preparation of the arrival of hurricane Irene. All light rail service will be suspended as of 6 p.m. on Saturday. It's likely that the PATH trains will stop running at noon, just like the New York City subway across the river. According to a Port Authority press release, "full staff will be in place to respond, and the agency’s Office of Emergency Management mobile command center will be activated." Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer has urged residents to leave town if possible. Hurricane…