NJ Firefighters Rescue 18 from Flooded Roadways
By Rebecca Panico
Source NJ Advance Media Group, Edison, N.J.
The Newark Fire Division rescued 18 people from rising floodwaters on roadways on Friday as Tropical Storm Fay’s rain drenched city streets, a city public safety spokeswoman said.
The tropical storm caused the city to activate its Emergency Operations Center, so all divisions of the Newark Department of Safety are on full alert to address any emergencies, officials said. The operation center allows officials to keep track of downed wires, flooded streets and other hazardous conditions.
“While we hope for little to no damage from this storm, Police, firefighters and members of the city’s Office of Emergency Management are preparing for the worst,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. “We caution drivers to avoid high water if they see that streets are flooded.”
The Newark Fire Division’s Zodiac boat helped rescue eight people from flooding waters in the 300 block of Wilson Avenue, a roadway that has long grappled with flooding. Eight others were rescued from their cars at Pulaski and Clifford streets, while two others were saved from a sedan at Miller Street and New Jersey Railroad Avenue, a public safety spokeswoman said.
Fay dropped several inches of rain on areas in New Jersey and gusts reached 70 miles per hour in some parts, according to the National Hurricane Center. Public safety officials in Newark say the tropical storm conditions could last through Saturday.
Mayor Ras Baraka urged residents to not drive through flooded streets, to use flashlights instead of candles during power outages and to secure outdoor furniture.
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