The day after Sandy struck, Rumson, Fair Haven and Sea Bright were dealing with fallen trees, downed wires and more than 4,000 people without power.
Roads were flooded through Sea Bright and into low-lying areas of Rumson.
Businesses were closed, motor vehicle traffic light to non-existent and residents hunkered down in their homes or shelter. The Fair Haven Acme, powered by a huge generator, was open, but had limited items left for sale, none of which were frozen goods.
However, the force of Hurricane Sandy unsettled the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers, as docks and marinas were overwhelmed by water. The entrance to the Fair Haven Dock was wiped out and River Rats was under water. Rumson's dock was washed out by flooding. And, at one point, the Shrewsbury River met with ocean waters from Rumson to Sea Bright and vice versa.
Beach club cabanas floated across Ocean Avenue and most beach clubs were destroyed along that Sea Bright strip and into Monmouth Beach. Donovan's Reef was destroyed (see photos by clicking here)
As in Fair Haven, Rumson's emergency management officials were in constant contact today and have joined conference calls with the governor's office to ensure cooperation should conditions worsen.
Rumson and Fair Haven have extra police patrolling the streets and looking out for residents into the night and morning hours considering the lack of electricity. Departments Public Works and emergency management officials will be working around the clock to respond to incidents.
As of Tuesday night, the sky was lit up sporadically with transformers blowing out and last night they lit up the sky regularly with booms. Though Fair Haven emergency responders said that there were small fires as the transformers blew, all were controlled immediately.
Residents have pitched in to help drive evacuated people to shelters.
Residents of any low-lying areas of Rumson who have not evacuated are urged to make their way to Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, which serves as a "holding area" before transport to Monmouth University.
Residents who experience power outages or those who need to report a downed pole or lines should contact JCP&L at 888-544-4877. If Rumson police are needed, call 732-842-0500. To report an emergency to Fair Haven police, call 732-747-0991.
Residents should not contact police to report power problems.
