Archive for August, 2011

Dear EarthTalk: The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted to strip the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of its authority over state water quality. »

STATE -- New Jersey American Water continues to advise its customers in West Orange, Short Hills, Millburn, Maplewood, Irvington, Springfield and Summit to boil their water before use as a precautionary measure after flooding from Hurricane Irene inundated the company’s Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Millburn. »

ATLANTIC CITY — All of the 11 gaming halls in Atlantic City were back in operation by noon today, Gov. Chris Christie and Division of Gaming Enforcement Acting Director David Rebuck announced. »

PERTH AMBOY— The city’s State of Emergency has been lifted and the Department of Public Works is making their rounds throughout Perth Amboy to clean up tree limbs and other debris on public property. »

UNION COUNTY – Union County’s Meals on Wheels service has been suspended today and tomorrow due to weather damage, according to a message sent out via Union County’s First Alert notification system. »

Amy Braunstein filmed this video yesterday on Route 27 in New Brunswick. She says, "Members of the community waded out to assist a stranded motorist. The guy next to me said 'I cannot watch this guy suffer anymore' and waded out to help out this complete stranger. Really heartwarming and awesome!" »

Send us your photos and videos from Hurricane Irene. »

The three major airports serving the New York City metropolitan area have resumed flight operations. Officials say flights in and out of LaGuardia Airport resumed at 7 a.m. Monday. John F. Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International airports opened to arriving flights at 6 a.m. Departures at the two airports are to resume at... »

STATE – In addition to widespread flooding and power outages, Hurricane Irene also caused a blood shortage, according to New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center. The supply of several blood types, including O-negative (“universal donor”) blood, which is normally maintained at the three-to-five-day inventory level, has dropped below the... »

Utility companies advise residents to call 911 for any downed power lines. Here are some other helpful contact resources. »

STATE – As residents continue the cleanup process after Hurricane Irene and head back to work today, Gov. Chris Christie said that the storm likely caused “billions of dollars” if not “tens of billions of dollars” to the U.S. economy. »

STATE-Officials confirmed four New Jersey deaths directly related to Hurricane Irene. »

From North Carolina to New Jersey, Hurricane Irene's winds and storm surge fell short of the doomsday predictions but the danger is far from over as rising rivers threaten severe flooding across much of the affected region over the next few days. »

EDISON – WWE Champion and Hall of Fame Legend, KoKo B. Ware will headline a full card of wrestling bouts at the upcoming Fall Family Spectacular in Edison on Saturday, Sept. 10. »

High winds and rain from the approaching Hurricane Irene pose serious threats to unguarded residents, so officials are gearing up to respond and warning people to avoid danger. »

TRENTON– NJ Transit will suspend its rail, light rail, bus and Access Link Paratransit services on Saturday as a safety precaution for customers and employees and to protect equipment, as New Jersey and its statewide transportation agency prepares for the impact of Hurricane Irene, Gov. Chris Christie announced today. »

MIDDLESEX COUNTY -- Residents in low-lying areas of Middlesex County have been asked to voluntarily evacuate, according to a report at NJ.com. »

TRENTON –The Ramapo River floodgates are being opened to try to mitigate the anticipated flood impacts of Hurricane Irene, Gov. Chris Christie announced this afternoon. »

CARTERET-Mayor Dan Reiman, members of the FMBA Local 67, and the Carteret Fire Department planned to attend a formal dedication ceremony tomorrow morning in honor of the emergency service workers who lost their lives during the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. »

NEWARK -- Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) Company, New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Irene and is making emergency preparations. »