Update: Thursday, Nov. 1 at 12:30 p.m.:
The Mt. Laurel Police Department filed the following report today:
“Much of the power outages have been restored in Mt. Laurel overnight.
Power remains out in the Ramblewood and Rancocas Woods neighborhoods.
PSE&G estimates 2,000 residents are affected.
Room 202 at the Mt. Laurel Municipal Center (across from the tax collector) is available for residents without power to charge cell phones and laptops.
Roadways closed due to down trees and power lines include: Hooton Road, between Michelson Drive and Warrington Way Elbo Lane E/B, at Hartford Road. Rancocas Boulevard, between Marne Highway and Wood Drive. Mt. Laurel Rd., between Elbo Lane and Church Road. Centerton Road W/B, at Creek Road.
Traffic signals out include: Marne Highway, at Creek Road.”
Update: Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 5: 32 p.m.:
The YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties has released the following information:
“As a community service, the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties has announced it will open its doors to those who have lost power and water due to Hurricane Sandy.
Neighbors can visit both the Mt. Laurel Y and Burlington-Riverfront Y to use the showers and facilities, access WiFi, charge their mobile devices or to simply warm up. Those interested in using the showers should bring their own towels.
The Mt. Laurel Y, located at 59 Centerton Road in Mt. Laurel, is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, please call the Mt. Laurel Y’s Welcome Center at
(856) 234–6200.”
Update: Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 4:12 p.m.:
Parts of Larchmont, Ramblewood and Rancocas Woods in the township remained powerless as of Wednesday afternoon, said Chief of Police Dennis Cribben.
According to PSE&G, at the height of the storm, between 5,000 and 10,000 residents were without power, said Cribben.
Twelve traffic lights went dark as Sandy barreled into the township.
Now, only one intersection remains to be repaired: Marne Highway at Creek Road.
There were at least eight incidents of downed wires, Cribben said, from what was tracked due to the hazards involved.
Life should return to normal in Mt. Laurel by the end of the week, said Cribben, as power continues to be restored and crews make way with tree removal.
Residents listened to advice, he said.
“The roadways were kept pretty clear during the storm,” he said, with most residents staying home.
“We were happy about that,” he added.
How did the township’s damage compare to Hurricane Irene last year?
“For Mt. Laurel, Hurricane Sandy involved less flooding and water damage due in part to the efforts of DPW And MUA, such as cleaning out storm drains, but Sandy involved more wind damage due to downed trees and longer power outages,” Cribben said.
There is no cost figure determined yet due to Sandy.
Several roads are still blocked by trees, including Hooton Road at Michaelson Drive, Elbo Lane eastbound at Hartford Road, Mt. Laurel Road between Elbo Lane and Church Road and Fostertown Road at Union Mill Road.
“We fared well compared to other parts of the state,” said Cribben.
Update: Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 1:38 p.m.:
Perhaps the most vital information for the youngest residents of Mt. Laurel is the change of date for Halloween.
The candy-filled holiday will now be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 5 with an end time of 9 p.m., according to township officials.
The date was changed per an executive order signed today by Gov. Christie.
“I’ve taken this action to minimize additional risks to lives and the public safety as we begin the process of rebuilding and recovering from Hurricane Sandy,” said Gov. Christie in a statement. “In too many communities in our state, the damage and losses from this storm are still being sorted out, and dangerous conditions abound even as our emergency management and response officials continue their work. As Governor, it is my responsibility to use all available resources of the state government to protect against the emergency created by Hurricane Sandy — postponing Halloween celebrations by five days is a commonsense and necessary step to accomplish that.”
Update: Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 8:30 p.m.:
Mt. Laurel Schools will be opening on a two hour delay tomorrow, Oct. 31, according to an announcement on the district’s homepage.
Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 2:25 p.m.:
The clean up process has begun in Mt. Laurel.
Today, all schools, the municipal building and the library remain closed and are set to re-open tomorrow.
Trees and downed wires have caused issues in the township, said Chief of Police Dennis Cribben, along with traffic lights that are still out.
“Motorists have to be careful approaching intersections,” Cribben said.
The public works department was out through the night cutting trees, but it could be a long week, he said, with areas such as Ramblewood and Larchmont still experiencing widespread power outages.
The good news, he said, was the lack of injuries.
“We had no (reported) injuries overnight as a result of the storm,” Cribben said. “That was positive.”
Throughout the township, as of Tuesday afternoon, there were between 5,000 and 10,000 residents still without power, said Lt. Paul Modugno, public information officer for the Office of Emergency Management.
With high tide coming soon, there may be more flooding on Union Mill Road.
The road was closed overnight at Briggs and Hartford Roads, but is now open.
“We may experience some more flooding on that road,” Modugno said.
In addition, there are 14 roads that are partially or fully closed currently, though some are in residential areas and are not having an effect on traffic.
Numerous traffic lights remain out, such as Union Mill Road at Hartford and Larchmont Roads, and Hartford Road at Hainesport-Mt. Laurel Road.
There is minimal damage at the schools, he said.
“Some of the schools are currently without power but are running on their generators,” said Modugno.
The Mt. Laurel Municipal Utilities Authority reported no problems with water or sewer throughout the township, he added.
Regular trash pick up will begin again tomorrow and Tuesday recycling will also be scheduled for tomorrow, he said.
More information will be coming soon. Check back at The Sun throughout the week for updates.
Follow the Mt. Laurel Police Department’s Facebook page for up to the minute details throughout the town, as well as Mt. Laurel Township.
