Sandy: Local Storm Reports, Road Closures & Power Outages

Tuesday, 9:58 p.m.:

Use this link to stay current with Levittown Patch's latest Sandy coverage.

Tuesday, 3:25 p.m.:

From Bristol Township police:

"Please contact your insurance company for damage to your home. Please make sure you contact reputable companies for repairs. Please be aware there are people who will take advantage of the immediate need for repairs and will try to take advantage of you. Please be on guard. Report any suspicious activity to the police."

Click here to get more information and see photos from the ravaged Thornridge section of Falls Township.

Tuesday, 1:48 p.m.:

PECO is still reporting tens of thousands of customers in the Levittown area without power.

The utility said restoration could take days.

Tuesday, 11:37 a.m.:

A story and photo gallery on the damge sustained by Bristol and Tullytown has been added to the site. Click here to see it.

Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.:

Several intersections in Levittown are without working traffic signals.

Scattered roads are also closed due to problems caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Public works crews were seen in Bristol borough and township working to clean downed tree limbs at 9 a.m.

The Oaktree section of Bristol appeared to be one of the worst hit sections with over 30 trees toppled onto cars and homes, neighbors estimated.

We want to see your photos from the storm. Add your pics and video by clicking the "Upload Photos and Video" button above this article.

Cell phone and mobile internet service is spotty throughout Bristol, Falls and Middletown.

Lines were seen wrapping around the McDonald's in Fairless Hills at 10:15 a.m.

Tuesday, 7:53 a.m.:

Power remains out to thousands of people in the Levittown area. PECO crews are out and about working to restore electric and gas service.

Many roads remain closed or are impassable.

Without power, many restaurants and convenience stores are closed.

The Oxford Valley section of the Middletown Township has spotty power and several eateries, including Burger King and Dunkin Donuts are open.

Bristol Borough is completely without power, borough manager James Dillon told Patch just before 7:30 a.m.

He added that the Delaware River has flooded the Mill Street parking lot.

Patch has received dozens of reports of downed trees in Falls Township.

Middletown Township is dealing with widespread downed wires and trees, Emergency Management Director Jim McGuire said.

"There's a lot of clean up, McGuire told Patch. "We're working to clear access to key structures and main highways first."

Both Dillon and McGuire said they were not aware of any dry ice distribution areas set for the area.

Locals are streaming in and out of the Holiday Inn Express in Langhorne looking for rooms. Unfortunately, the hotel is sold out for the night.

Tuesday, 12:19 a.m.:

Patch readers are reporting heavy damage to the Thornridge section of Falls.

Bristol Borough officials are still watching the Delaware River, which is expected to reach high tide at 3:15 a.m.

Monday, 10:50 p.m.:

Crews from around Levittown are busy responding all kinds of emergency calls as Sandy continues to rage. However, calls for downed trees seem to be the most common.

Crews responded to St. Ann's Convent in Bristol Borough Monday evening after a tree fell on a building at the property of Jefferson Street, Emergency Management Director Merle Winslow said. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters in Langhorne Borough responded to a tree that fell into a house and damaged multiple cars at a house along South Green Street. No word from officials on injuries.

A fire at Woods Services in the Langhorne section of Middletown Township caused problems just after sundown, officials said.

The fire damaged an electrical room, a Middletown official at the Emergency Operations Center said.

None of the residents or staff at the facility were hurt or had to be relocated due to the fire, the township authority said.

Winslow said that about 75 percent of Bristol Borough is without power and PECO has been alerted.

The emergency management director still fears what the 3:15 a.m. Delaware River high tide will bring.

Several homeless people living near the highway were taken to the shelter at Pennsbury High School, Winslow said.

Delaware River Port Authoirty officals have announced Monday evening that the Burlington-Bristol Bridge is closed due to the high wind conditions.

Monday, 9:48 p.m.:

Most of Levittown does not have power. Many major intersection are without traffic signals.

According to PECO numbers, close to 19,000 could be without power the Levittown area.

Monday, 7:34 p.m.:

Emergency management officials in Tullytown are reporting lots of downed trees and power issues in the borough.

Similar reports are coming into officials at the Emergency Operations Center in Bristol Township, officials say.

Eariler in the evening, the Tullytown Bridge at Fallsington Avenue was closed due to debris from the storm, Tullytown police said.

Just before 7 p.m., Middletown officials reported that Frosty Hollow Road was closed.

Click here to read the latest update on the Red Cross shelter for the lower portion of the county.

Monday, 6:38 p.m.:

The latest statement from PennDOT:

"PennDOT is closing the full length of Interstates 95 and 676; I-476 (non-toll portion); I-76 from the Pa. Turnpike to Passyunk Avenue and the U.S. Route 1 Extension in Philadelphia to all traffic except emergency vehicles from 7 p.m. through 2 a.m. The Pennsylvania Turnpike remains open."

Monday, 6:01 p.m.:

Winds speeds are picking up and are expected to increase as the evening goes on, according to the National Weather Service.

A gust of 51 MPH was recorded near Levittown Monday afternoon, data shows.

Patch readers continue to report outages throughout the section of Levittown and the surrounding communities.

The traffic signal that was out of service at Lincoln Highway and Oxford Valley Road on the Falls and Middletown border has been restored, an official said.

Below is an updated list of customers without service:

Monday, 4:32 p.m.:

A tree is reported to have fallen Wistar Road in the area of the Hidden Forest Apartments in Fairless Hills. Downed wires are also said to be at the scene, reader Jon Edwards tells Patch.

Edwards also sent a photo of the siding of a Levittown house being blown off.

Monday, 3:58 p.m.:

"Everything is going as expected. Of course the worst part of the storm is yet to come," Falls Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Harvie said.

Authorities in Middletown report that a tree is blocking part of Veterans Highway at Oakland Ave, near the Frosty Hollow neighborhood.

Asides from downed trees, a Middletown official said the township was "pretty good."

Bristol Borough Emergency Management Director Merle Winslow said the borough has had no serious flooding and no power outages as of 3:40 p.m. He add that he is keeping his "fingers crossed."

Winslow said his biggest concern remains the impending river high tide that will occur at 3:15 a.m.

Public works crews in the borough will continue to clear storm grates of fallen leaves throughout the day, Winslow said. Power to evacuated Harbor Light Apartment complex was disconnected by crews to avoid problems.

In Tullytown, crews were seen clearing debris from drainage ways.

Monday, 3:09 p.m.:

A tree has fallen and blocked Canna Road in the Cobolt Ridge section of Middletown, officials report.

Monday, 2:58 p.m.:

Most of the businesses that remain open in Levittown tell Patch they will be closing in the next several hours.

The number of people without power in Levittown has increased as the storm effects have intensified during the afternoon.

Click here to see more closings in the Levittown area.

Connie Salamatin Davies reported via Facebook that electricity is out in the Indian Creek section.

As of 2:45 p.m., between 500 and 1,500 PECO customers remain without power in Bristol Township. In Falls, between 51 and 500 homes and business have no electric service, the utility reports. Scattered outages are reported in Langhorne Manor Borough. Middletown residents are dealing with between 50 and 500.

Middletown Township police report that the traffic lights are out at Trenton and Durham roads.

The traffic signal at East Lincoln Highway and Oxford Valley Road was out as of 2:30 p.m. and police were directing the flow of cars.

Emergency officials responded to 1222 Highland Avenue in the Parkland section of Middletown just before 2:30 p.m. for wires that were knocked down.

Just after 2 p.m., police reported a downed tree blocking 2 lanes of West Lincoln Highway in Middletown.

Monday, 12:55 p.m.:

Many eateries, retail shops and gas station remained opened Monday afternoon.

At around noon, Brother's Pizza in Langhorne Borough remained open and was serving several customers.

The several gas station along Lincoln Highway in Falls were busy around late morning, but began to clear out as the wind and rain began to intensify.

The curious flocked to the banks of the Delaware River in Bristol Township, watching the rough river water from their cars. Only one man was seen taking in the weather at the Bristol Wharf.

Minor flooding was beginning to spill into the travel lanes along several area roads.

Between 500 and 1,500 PECO customers are without power in Bristol Township. In Falls, between 51 and 500 homes and business have no electric service, the utility reports.

Mandatory evacuations were issued for parts of Bensalem at around noon.

Monday, 10:32 a.m.:

Crews in Middletown began trash collection early Monday and are finished for the day, according to the township.

The Fire Marshal, who is also heads the emergency management agency, is requesting that all residents remove cans from their yards and secure them.

Trash collection will not take place tomorrow; it will resume on the next regularly scheduled day, officials said.

Here is a statement from officials in Bristol:

There will be no trash collection in Bristol Township on Monday, October 29, 2012 or Tuesday, October 30, 2012. If your regular day is Monday or Tuesday, trash will be picked up on your next regular pick up day. If your trash is already out, please secure it as soon as possible.

Monday, 10:16 a.m.:

PECO is now reporting scattered outages if Falls and Lower Southampton.

Bristol and Northampton townships are reporting between 51 and 500 customers without power, according to the utility. Morrisville Borough also has between 51 and 500 customers affected.  

"Custodial and maintenance employees should remain on call for emergency situations," according to Pennsbury School District Coordinator of Communications Ann Langtry.

Monday, 9:23 a.m.:

"No significant problems as of this point," Bristol Borough Emergency Management Director Merle Winslow said. "But the worst is yet to come."

The Middletown Emergency Operations Center is open and can be reached at  215-750-3808. All emergency calls should be phoned into to 911.

The emergency shelter at Pennsbury High School East is now open.

How Long Will Food Last in the Fridge if You Lose Power?

The shelter is pet friendly and food will be provided, according to Red Cross spokesman Dave Schrader.

Monday, 8:40 a.m.:

PennDOT warns "roadways and bridges are subject to closure at any time."

"For your safety and the safety of emergency responders, motorists are strongly urged to avoid unnecessary travel at this time," according to the Department of Transportation. No serious delays have been reported on area highways.

Monday, 8:05 a.m.:

A wind gust of close to 30 MPH was reported in Levittown shortly before 7 a.m., the National Weather Service reported.

Jen Ristagno of Levittown told Patch her satellite dish blew of her house during the winds early this morning.

Monday, 7:47 a.m.:

PECO is reporting scattered outages in Bristol Township and Morrsiville Borough. All other parts of the county reportedly have power.

Monday, 12:01 a.m.:

As the clock approached midnight, the winds throughout the area began to increase. Scattered patches of rain also moved through.

Wind gust in Levittown were clocked at being close to 25 MPH at 10:41 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.  

Middletown Emergency Managment Director Jim McGuire told Patch on Friday that wind damage from the storm was one of his chief concerns, a fact that several other officials echoed.

"I am fully expecting some type of damage to the house in the next two days," Mike Dombroski said late Sunday evening on Levittown Patch's Facebook page.

Falls Township declared a State of Emergency starting at 5 p.m. Sunday evening and it continues until Wednesday at 5 p.m., Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Harvie said.

"This state of emergency allows our emergency personnel and public works to operate more freely and quickly to prepare for the storm and take whatever measures they need to take to mitigate the effects of the storm and help our residents," the chairman said via email.

Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator Rich Dippolito met with township officials and local first responders Sunday morning to talk about Sandy, Harvie said. He added that the township is "confident in our ability to deal with the storm and with the preparations we have made."

As of midnight, all power was restored to Falls after earlier scattered outages. PECO officials however were reporting between 50 and 500 customers without service in Bensalem.

We want to see your photos from the storm. Add your pics and video by clicking the "Upload Photos and Video" button above this article.

Sunday, 7:36 p.m.:

Tidal flooding occurred the Croydon section of Bristol Township Sunday afternoon.

As the Delaware River hit high tide at around 2 p.m., water back flowed from an open pipe in Bank Street and filled the area with water, Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator Kevin Dippolito said.

Dippolito told Patch the flooding did not cause any damage to homes in the area and has since subsided.

Township officials will continue to watch for flooding, he said.

High tide also sent water nearly spilling in the Mill Street parking lot in Bristol Borough earlier this evening.

According to the National Weather Service, the Neshaminy Creek in Middletown is set to reach a flood level of 10 feet just after 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

Due to the storm, officials announced all county offices will be closed on Monday.

"All non essential operations will be shut down; all essential (24/7 operations) personnel are required to report for their regular shift," officials said in statement.

"Oxford Valley Mall is monitoring the storm and as of now is expecting to maintain normal operating hours," according to a statement.

Click here to see more closings in the Levittown area.

Sunday, 6:43 p.m.:

From Middletown Township:

Our Emergency Operations Center will open at midnight tonight in a limited capacity. It will be fully operational around 7:00 am on Monday. The important numbers are as follows: Emergencies 911; non-emergency police, fire or ems calls (215) 949-1000; PECO power outages (800) 841-4141; Middletown Emergency Operations Center (215) 750-3808; Middletown Public Works (215) 943-2900 (during normal hours 8-4).

Sunday 4:26 p.m.:

The owner of the Harbor Light Apartments on Radcliffe Street in Bristol Borough has asked all residents to evacuate the complex by 8 a.m. tomorrow, borough Emergency Management Director Merle Winslow said Sunday afternoon.

Residents of the complex were asked to stay with relatives or family. A Red Cross shelter at Pennsbury High School East will be open by 9 a.m. Monday for those who need it, Winslow said.

Throughout the week, the borough has been conducting pre-storm notificiation to residents living in areas at risk for flooding.

Winslow said chemical companies that operate in the borough and the surrounding area, like Dow, have told him they are curtailing processing activities and have their emergency serivce teams on location.

Borough officals said they expect to see flooding at the Green Lane underpass and in the area of the Bristol Wharf.

"Stay indoors and stay off the street," was the advice the director passed along to locals.

Sunday, 3:12 p.m.:

PECO is reporting scattered outages in Falls. The utility serves close to 15,000 customers in the township.

Sunday, 3:01 p.m.:

SEPTA announced shortly before 3 p.m. that starting at 12:30 a.m. on Monday all the transit agencies services will be suspended.

The suspension will halt all of the service's modes of transportion, including the West Trenton Regional Rail line and bus routes.

Special paratransit service for medical patients will remain operational as long as conditions allow, SEPTA said in a statement.

The agency did not state when service was expected to resume.

Amtrak also announced all service in the Northeast was suspended due to the storm.

Sunday, 2:39 p.m.:

Bristol Township issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency order Sunday afternoon.

The order, signed by the township manager, directs Emergency Management Coordinator Kevin Kevin Dippolito to take all action necessary to "alleviate the effects, to aid in the restoration of public services, and to take any other emergency response action deemed necessary to respond to this emergency."

The delaraction is in effect through 6 p.m. on November 2.

Sunday, 2:24 p.m.:

SEPTA officials said Sunday they expect Sandy to cause problems on the West Trenton Regional Rail line, which passes through the area.

Click here to see 10 ways to use Patch effectively during the storm.

We want to see your photos from the storm. Add your pics and video by clicking the "Upload Photos and Video" button above this article.