Avoid These Newark Streets If Tropical Storm Fay Hits: Police

NEWARK, NJ — Newark public safety officials are warning drivers to avoid a list of streets that may flood if thunderstorms related to Tropical Storm Fay hit the city on Friday.

A tropical storm warning was issued in nine New Jersey counties for Friday. The bad weather is expected to start after midnight, and heavy rain and thunderstorms — some of them possibly severe — are forecast to last all day. The National Weather Service said the chance of rain is 100 percent. The worst of it is expected to happen in the late afternoon.

• See related article: Warning In 9 NJ Counties For Tropical Storm Fay

“Special attention should be given to unsecured outdoor furniture, awnings, refuse and building materials,” the Newark Department of Public Safety stated in an advisory. “For fire safety, please utilize flashlights, instead of candles, should you lose electricity due to this weather event.”

Due to the forecast of heavy rainfall and potential thunderstorms, many streets in Newark may be flooded and should be avoided, officials stated.

The following locations should be avoided due to flooding conditions or the potential for flooding, authorities said:

• Clay Street and McCarter Highway
• South Street and Van Buren Street
• Jefferson and Chestnut Streets
• State Street near Broad Street
• Jabez and Backus Streets
• 357 Wilson Avenue
• Manufacturers Place and Hyatt Street
• Magazine Street and Avenue L
• Avenue L and Wilson Avenue
• Ferry and Foundry Streets
• Norfolk Street
• Orange Street
• Nesbitt Street
• McClellan and Frelinghuysen Avenue
• Frelinghuysen Avenue and the Route 22 underpass

The City of Newark’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated to address any weather-related emergencies due to Tropical Storm Fay, officials announced Friday.

“The safety of the City of Newark’s residents and visitors is of paramount importance,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

“We have activated our Emergency Operation Center, which gives us a broad view of downed wires, flooded streets, and other hazardous conditions this storm may produce,” Baraka said. “We implore everyone to abide by the Department of Public Safety’s advisory to not drive through streets that are flooded, to use flashlights, instead of candles in the event of a power outage, and to secure outdoor furniture, refuse containers or other materials that could become be carried away by high winds.”

“Activating the Emergency Operation Center means that all divisions of the Newark Department of Safety are on full alert to address any emergencies produced by this tropical storm,” Public SafetyDirector Anthony Ambrose said.

“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,” Ambrose stated. “We caution drivers to avoid high water if they see that streets are flooded.”

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