Raising ‘Cane-Sandy Day 2:
OBAMA CALLS HEALY
White House @ 12:30am Wakeup Call to Offer Aid After Hurricane Sandy Wreaks Havoc; High Tide Tonight; SCHOOLS CLOSED WEDNESDAY, 10/31; Zero Tolerance On Non-Emergency-Driving; Citywide Business Curfew Begins

Update 10/30, 5:37: All shelters have been closed except the following: MS#4, which is for anyone with a medical problem or disability; MS#7; and Dickinson High School. 

Update 10/30, 5:22pm: 
Mayor Healy and OEM officials announced that a zero-tolerance policy goes into effect at 6 pm today, Tuesday, October 30, 2012, to curtail non-essential driving in city limits to keep roadways clear for emergency responders.

Police will strictly enforce the non-essential driver ban to ensure roadways are passable as work crews remove trees and repair lighting throughout the city, according to the Mayor.

“It is extremely important that we keep the roads clear so that the crews coming in to restore these vital services are not impeded by unnecessary traffic during this state of emergency,” Healy said. “I urge residents to comply with this ban because their cooperation will only assist us in speeding the recovery.”

Update 10/30, 5:20pm: 
Mayor Healy announced the establishment of a business curfew, which will be enforced form 7pm. to 7am, beginning today, 10/30.

The exception to the business curfew are those businesses that have full electrical power can operate their respective business during normal business hours, Healy said. 

Update 10/30, 1pm: Mayor Healy Closes All Jersey City Public & Private Schools Tomorrow, 10/31.

Note: PATH Trains are OUT indefinitely.

Update 10/30, 2am: 
President Barack Obama personally called Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy early this morning at his home to inform the Mayor that he is closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Sandy and to ensure that federal help is on the way.

The surprise call to the Mayor came at about 12:30 a.m. just as the Mayor returned home after a long day and night in the Office of Emergency Management, where he and other city officials coordinated the emergency response to the havoc caused by Hurricane Sandy.

“After coming through the hell our residents faced with this storm, that call was a nice ray of sunshine,” Healy said. 

President Obama said that Jersey City has always been a friend to him and that he would do all that he could to make sure that Jersey City and the people impacted by the storm would receive assistance
from federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Update 10/29: The Mayor’s Action Bureau phone number has changed due to Hurricane Sandy havoc. Residents should now call (201) 547-5563.

Update 10/29, 4pm: The Municipal Court will be closed again tomorrow, Tues., 10/30.

Update 10/29 1:45pm: Flood Zone Maps ARE NOW UP & RUNNING. Find your area, click your number and map will load. NOTE: Loading time will vary according to website traffic.

Update 10/29 1:11pm: There will no longer be shelter pick-ups at the Newport Mall McDonalds since the area is under water. All further pickups should go to City Hall, 280 Grove Street or the Pavonia PATH station.

Update 10/29 12:51pm: Mayor Healy and the Director of OEM have modified the Emergency Declaration to include the following:

A Pedestrian Curfew from 6pm, today, 10/29, through 1pm, Tues., 10/30 in the following areas:

1) Washington Blvd. east to Hudson River

2) Areas of State Highway 440 West to Hackensack River & Bayonne City Line

3) All pedestrian traffic prohibited in Port Liberte as well as Country Village.

Also, the following Emergency procedures remain in effect:

1) All Motor Vehicle Traffic is prohibited from 2pm Monday, 10/29, until further notice

2) All public and private schools remain closed today, 10/29 & tomorrow, Tues., 10/30.

Update 10/29 8:25:
The Jersey City Parking Authority has announced suspension of parking regulation through Wednesday October 31st, 2012 as result of the impending storm.

Jersey City residents can utilize Parking Authority lots at the following locations:

• Montgomery Street & Orchard Street
• Central Avenue lot adjacent to Burger King
• 522 West Side Avenue
• 754 West Side Avenue
• 174 Newark Avenue
• Hoboken Avenue adjacent to Rt.139

In addition residential parking permit regulations will also be suspended during this time period.

Update 10/28, 10:15pm:
All City parks are closed until further notice. All Department of Recreation Programs are suspended until further notice, as well. 

Update 10/28, 9:30pm:
Transportation to city evacuation shelters will be provided by vehicles from the Department of Recreation & Dept. of Health & Human Services/Senior Affairs.

Hourly Pick-ups will commence on 8am on Monday, October 29th, through the duration of the storm at the following locations:
• Society Hill
• OLM/Country Village
• City Hall, 280 Grove Street.
• Pavonia PATH Station
• Port Liberte/ Strip Mall on Chapel Ave.

Update 10/28 6:10pm: The Municipal Court will be closed tomorrow due to Hurricane Sandy. Check back here for updates.

Update 10/28 4:10 pm: Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, in conjunction with the Office of Emergency Management is calling for a voluntary evacuation of everyone who lives in low lying areas. Those in high-rises who are above the first and second floors are being encouraged to shelter in place.

“Due to the unprecedented intensity and scope of Hurricane Sandy, We are encouraging, if possible,   all voluntary evacuees to seek shelter with family and friends first,” said Mayor Healy. “The numbers of residents who need to seek shelter from flooding are very well likely to be much larger than those affected by Irene.“

Shelters will be open by 8:00 p.m. this evening.  All evacuees with existing medical problems should go to MS#4 on 107 Bright Street downtown due to its proximity to the Jersey City Medical Center. Other shelters are PS #7 on 222 Laidlaw Avenue, Dickinson High School on Palisades Avenue, PS #17 at 600 Bergen Avenue, and  PS#41 at Wilkinson and Ocean Avenues.

Those with pets must go to Pershing Field. All dogs must be leashed and cats should be in a carrier. Residents need to provide food for them.

all public and private schools have been closed for tomorrow Monday, October 29th   and Tuesday, October 30thThe Mayor’s Action Bureau is currently open and answering calls at 201-547-4900. They will also open tomorrow at 6am and will remain open for the duration of the Hurricane Emergency.

PATH Trains will cease all service at 12:01am on Monday, October 29th.

Residents seeing a downed power line should call 911 immediately.

Parking enforcement for all meters and street sweeping is suspended until Hurricane emergency subsides. Greenville residents who need to move their cars to higher ground should park in the lots at Public Schools 30 & 40 in Greenville.

Due to high winds, heavy rain and low visibility, residents are prohibited from operating motor vehicles on all Jersey City streets and highways beginning at  2:00pm on Monday, 10/29 and continuing until further notice.

Mandatory Evacuations Effective at 7am on Monday, October 29th, in the following locations in Jersey City:

• Residents residing in ground floor/1st floor buildings for all streets EAST of Greene Street from Essex Street North to Columbus Drive.

• Residents residing in ground floor/ 1st floor buildings for all streets EAST of Washington Boulevard from Columbus Drive North to 18th Street.

• Residents residing in ground floor/ 1st floor buildings in Port Liberte.

• Residents residing in ground floor/ 1st floor buildings in Society Hill and Country Village.

Update 10/27/12 4:24pm:
Due to the high winds expected from Hurricane Sandy, the Jersey City Incinerator Authority has suspended all garbage and recycling pick-ups until further notice.

Also, all cars in low lying areas should be moved to either higher ground or upper levels of indoor parking garages, where available. 

Update 10/27/12 2:52pm:
The MUA, along with the JCIA, is currently clearing catch basins and sewers of debris to allow the water to go down during the storm.

If there is a catch basin on your street that is covered with debris or garbage, please be a good neighbor and assist the city by clearing that catch basin. Report a clogged catch basin can call the MUA at (201) 432-1150. 

Anyone with questions about Hurricane Sandy can contact the Mayor’s Action Bureau at (201) 547-4900. Residents can also follow updates at JC_GOV on Twitter, The Official City of Jersey City Facebook Page, Wiredjc.com or sign up for C3 Mass Alert system.

Courtesy:  Jersey City Web Page

Reposted 0600 Hours PST 10/31/12