Haddonfield Happenings: Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy on Haddonfield

Hurricane Sandy, also known as Super Storm Sandy, crossed paths with Haddonfield, New Jersey, on October 29, 2012. Computer models predicted that the eye of the storm would pass over the Camden County area. Just hours before arriving in Haddonfield, the storm was pounding the Jersey Shore. Residents of Camden County expected the worst.

The Haddon Police Department had been preparing since it became clear that the town was in the path of the hurricane. “By the time the storm hit, we were as prepared as we could be,” said Lieutenant Ed Wiley. Lt. Wiley explained that they prepared in advance for the storm by ensuring generators at headquarters and shelter locations were operational. In addition he said, “Our Emergency Management Coordinator, Department of Public Works, Fire and Ambulance Personnel, and Police all got together before the storm to discuss available shelters, equipment, manpower and fuel, as well as debris removal.”

To prepare the residents, the Haddonfield borough frequently updated its website. Residents were encouraged to move their cars from low lying areas before the storm arrived and to stay indoors once the storm began.

In the end, other areas of New Jersey were hit harder than South Jersey. “We got off pretty easy,” said local resident, David Jones, who rents an apartment in town.

For Haddonfield, the biggest effect of Super Storm Sandy was tree damage and downed power lines leading to electric power outages. A house on the corner of Euclid and Homestead Avenue was just missed by a large tree in the front yard. The tree fell onto Euclid Avenue and ripped up the sidewalk beneath it. A large tree at Hopkins Pond came down, knocking down other trees behind it. However there was no property damage to any houses.

On Haddonfield’s website it was reported that residents living on Cedar, Woodland, Mount Vernon had incurred power outages. Bancroft, a residential school for developmentally disabled clients, also lost power. Lieutenant Wiley stated that there were no storm-related injuries within the town, although two police cars sustained minor storm-related damage.

On November 1, four days after the storm, it was posted on Haddonfield’s website that there was free wi-fi from Comcast available at the Borough Hall for residents and that cell phones could be charged for free for anyone who had lost power.

Haddonfield Schools were closed for a week. In addition, town-wide events were also affected. The Halloween parade that was schedule for October 31 was cancelled and

Governor Christy announced that trick-or-treating would be postponed until Monday, November 5. Haddonfield, however, decided to have their Halloween on Friday, November 2.

Lt. Wiley explained that the Police Department is preparing to meet with FEMA to make application for reimbursement for overtime, equipment, and damages incurred during the storm.