SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring both Hurricane Joaquin and the preceding coastal storm, according to a release from the village. Hurricane Joaquin has been elevated to become the first Category 4 hurricane of the 2015 Atlantic season. The effects of these severe weather events are expected to begin Friday and continue through the weekend, possibly into early next week. The severity of Hurricane Joaquin’s impact on the Northeast region is still unknown. Residents should be prepared for high winds from the storm regardless of its path.
The expected high winds and heavy rains can be dangerous and cause power outages as well as localized flooding and residents are reminded to exercise extreme caution. If you observe downed power lines or other hazards please contact the South Orange Police Department at 973-763-3000, or 9-1-1 for emergencies. If you experience a power outage, contact PSE&G directly at 800-436-7734.
Please monitor the village website, social media, and your email and phone for any updates. To make sure you receive all village emergency notifications, make sure you and your family are signed up for emergency alerts at http://southorange.org/alerts.
Gov. Chris Christie has issued Executive Order 186 declaring a state of emergency extending statewide in preparation for Hurricane Joaquin.
Please take this time to review your family’s emergency plan and stock up your emergency supplies. More information on how to prepare can be found at http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.
SOUTH ORANGE FORECAST
Friday, Oct. 2: Showers likely, mainly between 11 a.m. and noon, then periods of rain after noon. Steady temperature around 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Northeast wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday night, Oct. 2: Periods of rain. Steady temperature around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Northeast wind 15 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday, Oct. 3: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 56 degrees Fahrenheit. Northeast wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Saturday night, Oct. 3: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49 degrees Fahrenheit. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Sunday, Oct. 4: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66 degrees Fahrenheit. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Sunday night, Oct. 4: Tropical storm conditions possible. A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.