As Hurricane Irene left her mark on Northern New Jersey, some areas were hit harder than others. My town, Park Ridge, New Jersey, was one of the lucky ones. I was able to venture out early Sunday with no problems. I did not venture out to far as the sky was clear but the winds were still packing a powerful punch on and off. Although we were prepared with candles, matches, extra batteries, and flashlights, I was reminded how lucky we were that it was not worse for us. All we had was some flodding in the the basement of our apartment building. I will take no hot water for two days over loosing my home anyday! We were on eggshells Saturday and Sunday as we did not know what was going to happen.
There was minimal flooding in my town. I read in The Bergen Record that some of my neighboring towns such as Hillsdale and Westwood, New Jersey were not so lucky. Some people had to be evacuated from their homes due to flooding. Some stores in those towns are still closed due to flood damage. The public library in my town is closed for several days due to wet carpeting.
Further from me, in Wayne and Little Falls, New Jersey, they are still under water. Several parts of Upper Saddle River and Mahwah, New Jersey, may not see power until Friday. Some highways are still closed. According to North Jersey.com Route 20 is closed on Broadway in Paterson, in both directions. Route 20 is also closed At the Fair Lawn Avenue Bridge, in both directions. Routes 4 and 17 in Bergen County are now open but were closed on Monday. According to 511nj.org, New Jersey Transit has restored most of its service today. Some parts of The Garden State parkway remain closed especially at some of the exits near the Jersey shore and Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
As people clear out their basements and try to salvage their belongings, we remember that it could have been worse. We are reminded of those who did not make it through Hurricane Irene not only here in New Jersey. Our prayers go out to their families.