FREE FOOD, BATTERIES, UPDATES FOR HOBOKEN and BAYONNE: Thursday afternoon update for Hoboken includes: Duracell handing out batteries, and some free food available in town; Bayonne emergency numbers below, and rumors of water shutoff are NOT true…

HUDSON COUNTY — The city of Hoboken provided this update Thursday afternoon:
PSE&G is on site and working very hard to restore power, now that most of the flooding has receded and they can get to the substations. A pump was brought in to partially remove flood waters from one of the substations. They are working to restore power as quickly as possible. Residents are asked to shut off appliances and lights to avoid a surge when power is restored.

The tap water is safe to drink.

A food truck capable of serving hundreds of meals will be at the Capital One Bank parking lot (3rd and Washington) serving free meals to the public this afternoon. Food trucks from throughout the region are invited into Hoboken to help feed our community. The Elks Club will also be serving food to the public this afternoon. The Fire Department pumped out the loading dock for the A&P supermarket, which is expecting a delivery and hoping to open today.

Water tankers are available at 1st & Washington and 315 Hudson St (bring your own container).

Volunteers are needed at City Hall and can report to the lobby. They are helping with various tasks, including going door to door in senior buildings, delivering food and water, and assisting with filling prescriptions.

The Wallace School is no longer filling prescriptions. The downtown CVS pharmacy will fill prescriptions if the empty prescription bottle is brought in.

Donations needed: non perishable food, blankets, coats. No perishables. Donations can be delivered to City Hall or the High School (8th and Clinton).

A Duracell charging and wifi station and a PSE&G comfort station will be in Hoboken today. Phone charging stations are also available at Observer & Washington, along 11th Street between Park and Garden, Garden Street between 11th and 12th, Hudson St between 4th and 11th, and other areas where residents are making power available to neighbors.

Garbage collection will take place today. Damaged furniture may be left on the curb.

A community information meeting and press briefing will take place at 2pm in front of City Hall.

Shelter locations are: Wallace School (11th & Willow), Sts Peter & Paul (4th & Hudson), St Matthews (8th & Washington).

Avoid using your vehicles. There is a statewide gas shortage.

Emergency Operations Center phone number: 201-249-6644.

Flood waters have receded from the Observer Highway southern entrance to Hoboken.

The Federal Government has a website that allows people to apply for assistance online: http://www.disasterassistance.gov .

This website consolidates the application process across several Federal agencies, including FEMA and the Small Business Administration. The website also reduces the number of forms you will ultimately have to fill out, shortens the time it takes to apply, and allows you to check the progress of your applications online.

If you want to apply by phone rather than the Internet, you can call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).
For full details, view this message on the web.

FOR BAYONNE SEE BELOW

Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith said on Thursday that rumors that the water will be shut off in Bayonne are untrue.

Smith asked residents to try to share this information with neighbors who might not have telephone or internet service:

“Bayonne’s emergency management personnel continue to respond to the aftermath of the storm,” he said. “We need all residents to continue to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay off the streets if at all possible. Please be advised that Bayonne’s water supply continues to be available and safe for all uses. The water is NOT being turned off. Likewise, gas service continues to be available and is NOT being turned off.
“The city continues to operate emergency shelters at two locations. If you are safe in your home, please stay there. If you need to be relocated to a shelter or if you need any other assistance, please call our emergency operations center at 201-858-7183 or 201-858-7184.
Bayonne Medical Center is open for emergency purposes only. All outpatient services are cancelled until further notice.
“Trash and recycling pick-up will be on a normal schedule, and we urge you to empty your freezers and refrigerators and dispose of the contents, if necessary.
“Please check the city website at www.bayonnenj.org, or remain by your phone for updates. Please be safe and take care of each other.”

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