Crime & Safety

Partial Power Restored in Small Pockets Around Town, FEMA and National Guard Remain in Hoboken

City officials started the recovery phase after the flood water receded on Thursday.

UPDATED 8:30 p.m.—While most of Hoboken was still dark, small pockets of power returned around 7 p.m. Residents reported power on First Street downtown, parts of Garden. Lights were on at CVS on Newark Street as well.

Earlier in the day, as local officials have shifted their focus on the recovery stage, the main priority in Hoboken is the restoration of power, Mayor Dawn Zimmer said on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking to about 200 members of the public and a large crowd of local and national media, Zimmer said that, while she couldn't give a real estimate on when power would be back, she is working with PSE&G as well as Governor Chris Christie to get the power up as soon as possible.

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Two of Hoboken's substations were flooded during the storm. It took until Thursday afternoon for the water to recede out of there.

"All agencies are working together," Zimmer said. While she couldn't give an estimate, she said it'd be "shorter than seven to 10 days."

Find out what's happening in Hobokenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One of the city's major concerns at this point, Zimmer said, is ensuring that Hoboken's seniors have enough food and water.

Hundreds of volunteers showed up to city hall on Thursday and teams went around the city to drop off supplies and knock on doors all day.

"As long as we don't have power," Zimmer said, "we're going to be taking care of our community."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived Thursday to meet with city officials and assess the inconceivable damage in the Mile Square.

"This is the priority," said FEMA Deputy Director Richard Serino, "we're going to get the power back on."

Authorities are still enforcing a curfew and warning people not to drive in the city after dark. Multiple checkpoints have been set up at the city's entrances, with police checking ID's of all drivers. Non-residents who are delivering supplies will be admitted.

There is still a great need for supplies and officials are asking for donations of non-perishable food, clothing, blankets and batteries to be delivered to Hoboken High School at 8th and Clinton Streets or City Hall. 

City officials are also asking residents who are no longer stuck in their homes to check on elderly residents and the disabled. 

Most of the city has water — tap water is safe to drink — but some buildings with water pumps that were hooked up to electricity, including Marine View Plaza, lost their water supply. 

It was unclear Thursday whether the building's water was restored, but large tankers of water are set up at First and Washington Streets as well as 315 Washington Street for residents to fill their own containers. 

Police and fire lines were still down, but the command center phone can be reached at 201-239-6644. 

A pharmacist is present at City Hall and hundreds of volunteers lined up Thursday to assist the cleanup effort. 

Please continue to check Hoboken Patch for more information and follow @HobokenPatch on Twitter for updates throughout the day. 


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