Harrington Park — Heavy rains and winds ripped through the tiny Harrington Park community, making it one of the worst areas hit by storms Aug. 6.

Although the damage in most neighboring towns seemed minor, fallen trees and telephone poles caused destruction in the Borough.

According to Harrington Park Police Capt. Albert Maalouf, the storm began at about 6:45 a.m. Trees and branches struck several homes and according to Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., approximately 700-800 homes lost power.

Most of the homes were without power for several hours; a substantial amount of homes were still without it as of 4 p.m. that day.

"The traffic light at the intersection of Old Hook and Bogerts Mill roads was out and the one at the intersection of Schraalenburg and Tappan roads was actually knocked down," said Maalouf. "There were multiple wires and trees uprooted at that location."

The lights were repaired or replaced and operational by that night.

Cleanup and repair occurred throughout the day and continued through the following afternoon. About 12 Orange and Rockland crews were initially sent out with more being needed throughout the day.

According to Maalouf, the Harrington Park Police Department initially had assistance from the Norwood Police Department. Later in the day, the Bergen County Police Department and the Closter, Alpine and Norwood Departments of public works also assisted

Laura Latrenta, a Harrington Park resident, was shocked by the damage the storm caused.

"I drove down Highland and it was like a war zone," she said. "There were trees that had fallen on cars and roofs, and I saw a telephone pole that was cracked too. I live just a block away on Greenway and my street was practically untouched."

The National Weather Service believed that the Borough experienced straight-line winds, which could reach up to 70 m.p.h. and cause a vast amount of property damage.

Maalouf believed that almost everything was back to normal the morning after the storm.

E-mail driggs@northjersy.com or call 201-894-6709