Watch CBS News

Widespread Flooding In Hoboken After Sandy Batters Mile Square City

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The city known as the birthplace of baseball and Frank Sinatra is reeling from Hurricane Sandy.

A day after the superstorm lashed out on the East Coast, there are reports of multiple live wires down throughout the City, and PSE&G cannot get into Hoboken, N.J. to confirm that they are de-energized, according to Mayor Dawn Zimmer's office.

Manhole covers have been displaced and pose a serious threat to pedestrians and cars on flooded and non-flooded streets.  Flooding in the city remains widespread and a mandatory curfew has been extended through 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Driving is prohibited and police will consider all people on the street in violation of the curfew and driving ban, according to Zimmer's office.

"We will make it through this together," said Zimmer. "All our emergency personnel and volunteers have been working so hard under the most extreme circumstances to keep our community safe, and I thank our community for cooperating and being understanding. For now, we need everyone to stay off the streets and to check in on their neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled."

United Water said the drinking water is safe.

Only one phone line remains operational in the Emergency Operations Center: 201-239-6646.

President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for New Jersey early Tuesday morning. The declaration clears the way to making federal funds available to people affected by the storm in Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union counties.

"He accelerated the major disaster declaration for New Jersey without the usual red tape and I can't thank the president enough for that, Gov. Chris Christie said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.