Hurricane Sandy

Published: October 29, 2012  ~   0

Hurricane Sandy in upon us, below is some information we think will be useful to you during the storm.

Remember: Stay away from all power lines. Assume they are live and dangerous. If you have a downed power line call JCP& L at 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) immediately.

 
Halloween
Citing the need to ensure the safety of the public amid the continued state of emergency in New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie today signed Executive Order 105, postponing Halloween celebrations across New Jersey until Monday, November 5, 2012 as a result of continued unsafe conditions in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Read More

Emergency Shelter
Beginning at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, October 30th, the Borough has opened its shelter at the Sisters of Christian Charity on Hilltop Road. Please use extreme caution while traveling to the shelter; debris and downed poles and wires may be hazardous.
Real-Time Storm Map

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Don’t assume power company knows your power is out. Report it here. JCP&L outage map

Driving
Please stay home! However, we realize that some of you had to go to work today; the NJ State Police offers the following advice for the dicey ride home.

  • Regardless of current rain conditions, travel much slower than normal to avoid losing control when you drive into ponding and standing water that is already on every roadway
  • Never drive through standing water, even if you think your vehicle can clear the depth. You could stall and block road access for emergency workers
  • Expect that flash flooding can turn a stream under a roadway into a river capable of washing vehicles right off the road. One woman lost her life during Irene when her car was swept over the guidrails into a flooded forest in Cumberland County.
  • If you don’t have to be on the road, stay home. This is no time to venture out for sightseeing.

 
Road Closures

Safety Tips

Here are some good tips, provided by JCP&L. For more information, please see out article regarding Hurricane Survival.

Before the storm:

  • Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy. Use care when burning candles; open flames are a fire hazard.
  • Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person. Portable heaters and burning candles that are left unattended, especially around children and pets, can create a fire hazard. In addition, gasoline- or diesel-powered generators and appliances can produce deadly levels of carbon monoxide and should never be operated inside the home or garage.
  • If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.
  • Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.
  • Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand. Tune in to a local radio station for current storm information.
  • Have a hard-wired telephone or a charged cell phone handy in the event you need to report your electricity is out. Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when power is out. A smart phone can be used to access online information sources.
  • JCP&L has placed calls to their critical care customers who use life support equipment. If you use life support equipment and did not receive a call from us in the past 48 hours, call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877). If you are not already registered for JCP&L’s critical care program, you will receive a form that must be completed by their doctor.

 

If You Lose Power:

  • Unplug appliances like refrigerators and freezers, and sensitive electronic equipment like TVs and computers, so that they won’t overload when power is restored.
  • Call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report outages immediately, or report online at firstenergycorp.com/reportoutage. The more people who call, the faster JCP&L can pinpoint the location where crews must be sent for repairs.
  • Immediately report downed wires to 888-544-4877 or your local police or fire department (911). Never go near a downed power line, even if you think it’s no longer carrying electricity. Stay more than 30 feet away from downed power lines, don’t walk or drive near or over a downed line, and watch out for anything touching the line. If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay inside until help arrives.
  • Keep children and pets away from any wires.
  • When operating a generator, always disconnect the power coming into your home. Otherwise, power from your generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers. The proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician.
  • Stay out of flooded basements, even if the power is off. Stay away from the breaker box if it’s in a flooded basement.

 

Social Media

Social Media is an excellent way to get and pass-on information during an emergency as telephone lines may become congested or not functioning during a storm. It is also a great source of information for emergency information from agencies in the area.

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