Power Surge: Woodbridge Residents Seek to Refuel Generators, Cars, and Cell Phones

Whether you were fueling your car or trying to fill a gas can to feed a thirsty generator, it was a nightmare throughout central New Jersey in the wake of no electricity from Hurricane Sandy.

Gas lines snaked up and down Route 9 and Route 1, and anywhere you could find a gas station that was open, had electricity to pump gas, and had enough supplies to feed customers who desperately needed fuel.

Gas consumers from the southern part of the state made their way to Woodbridge in search of fuel. Some people were so desperate and had come such a long way that when they got into a line, some of them ran out of gas before they got to their turn in line.

The gas lines brought out Woodbridge police to keep order and keep the lines moving. People who just wanted to refill their gas containers for at-home generators parked their cars and stood in a pedestrian line, waiting their turn.

Traffic anywhere near a gas station was simply murder. While schools were closed and many businesses were still closed because power hadn't yet been restored in their section of the township, people were out and about: some because they had cabin fever, but many more because they needed an outlet to recharge cell phones and laptops - and that's if they could find Internet access.

"It's crazy," said Cathy Morgan, who was trying to find a store locally that would let her plug in her electronic gadgets. "If you can find someplace, there are five people waiting in line in front of you."

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