Springfield Still in State of Emergency

Springfield Office of Emergency Management Coordinator John Cottage said that while the water is down and people are starting to return to their homes after hurricane evacuation, Springfield is still in a state of emergency.

Cottage said the emergency ban may be lifted this afternoon pending decisions from local and County emergency and management officials.

But for now, it is still in place.

Cottage said the storm disrupted lives throughout the Township, but had the most dramatic impact on residents living around Alvin Terrace and Marion Ave.

“We evacuated 40 or 50 people in rowboats yesterday,” Cottage said. “We brought them to our first evacuation center at Dayton. Then we had to move them to Chisholm, the old YMCA, because of the sewage problem at the high school. Then we transported them to the Clark shelter with the Township jitney.”

Three homes in that area have collapsed due to flood damage to their foundations.

“We’re still assessing the damage,” Cottage said. “It’s substantial.”

In addition to the home damage, the flooding was devastating to other types of property as well, with many residents losing cars and other vehicles. Cottage said that several traffic lights are out and areas of town are without power. The pumping stations are up and running, however.

Members of the Springfield fire department are pumping out flooded basements on a first call, first served basis. Call their office at 973-912-2265 to request their assistance. But be patient: Cottage said there were over 130 homes on the list at the start of the hurricane, and the number has certainly grown dramatically since then.

Cottage said that residents who believe their homes have sustained structural damage should call the police department at 973-376-0400.

Major Township thoroughfare Meisel Ave. is blocked by a large tree and impassable.

There was a garbage collection this morning.

UPDATE: Cottage said residents can bring storm debris to their curbs in anticipation of a special bulk and refuse collection later this week.