Residents Head to Shelter as Sandy Strikes

Shuttle buses at Irene E. Feldkirchner School wait for evacuating Green Brook residents, as Hurricane Sandy approaches New Jersey.

The school's parking lot was already full at 3:30 p.m. 

Expectations of flooding also closed sections Greenbrook Road in the afternoon.

Township officials are encouraging residents living in low lying to evacuate their homes. Residents in flood-prone neighborhoods should notify police if they do not plan to evacuate.

Meanwhile, the water level at Watchung Lake has been lowered, to try to reduce downstream flooding.

Most stores in Watchung and Green Brook are closed, except for the Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's, and the 7-11 at Warrenville Road, which were all open as of 4 p.m. 

Green Brook Deputy Mayor Pat Boccio pointed out several other reminders for residents also:

During and after the storm:

• Refrain from driving; this removes one more thing for the Police, Fire
• Department, and EMS to deal with.
• Do not drive around roadway barriers; they are there for a reason. The majority of rescues last year were for people who went around the barriers and needed to be rescued from their cars. This puts the people in the car as well as the emergency responders at unnecessary risk.
• If you reside in a flood prone area, consider relocating sooner instead of later.
• Please remove ALL vehicles that are parked in flood prone areas.
• Emergencies such as fires, gas leaks and medical emergencies please call 911.
• Please stay in your homes and do not venture out during the storm.
• Please follow the directions of all emergency responders.