Union County Declares State of Emergency

Union County has issued a state of emergency around 4p.m. today that will be in effect from 6p.m. tonight until 6p.m. tomorrow.

A large tree was blocking Mountain Avenue from Morris Ave and Elm Street, taking out telephone poles and electrical wires. No injuries were reported at the time, but Summit officials including Chief Robert Weck were stressing the importance of residents remaining indoors at this time.

Streets are littered with branches and high winds are causing treetops to sway. Several businesses including 7 Eleven and the Summit Diner remained open.

Several people were out walking dogs or heading for a last-minute coffee or a meal in Downtown Summit around 2p.m. Business owners were dropping in to make last-minute checks and make sure everything was battened down.

Calls of downed wires and trees were filling the Summit fire house this afternoon including a call of downed wires off Baltursrol Road.

Police, fire and city engineering officials were in the Fire Department with a command center set up, marking off blocked streets with a digital map.

Summit Patch will keep you updated on the events surrounding Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to hit NJ sometime in the early evening.