Scotch Plains Creates Storm-Damage Hotline

The Scotch Plains Department of Public Works created a temporary storm-damage hotline on Monday afternoon for residents to inform the township of previously unreported damage to township trees in need of attention. Call 908-322-6700, then listen to the phone tree for the appropriate prompt.

"The DPW is working on trees and cleanup efforts, and the Scotch Plains Fire Department is still pumping basements," Township Manager Christopher Marion said in a telephone interview. "We're doing everything we can to get life back to normal."

Any trees that are leaning on power lines must be removed by PSE&G, not DPW employees Marion noted. Residents who observe power lines in need of attention are urged to contact PSE&G by calling 800-436-7734. 

A handful of roads remained closed due to downed trees or power lines:

• Rahway Road near Raritan Road and the Edison border
• Acacia Road
• Ridgeview Avenue
• Pheasant Lane
• William Street
• Coles Avenue

The police department also hooked a portable generator to the traffic signal at Martine Avenue and Raritan Road.  

Most flooding has subsided, Marion said. Scotch Plains TV remains off the air due to a signal problem.

Other than the downed trees, township-owned property and Scotch Plains businesses do not appear to have sustained significant damage, Marion stated. His office has not received calls from local business owners, and most storefronts along Park Avenue, which flooded Sunday morning, were open.

Marion thanked members of the township's police department, fire department, rescue squad, public works department, office of emergency management and television station. 

"It's been a tremendous effort across the board," he said.