Chatham Mayor, Committee: Prepare for a Historic Winter Storm

With the Monday’s blizzard just hours away, the Chatham Township Committee is urging residents to take precautions, as Winter Storm Juno could dump two feet of snow on the Chathams.

“We would like to remind our residents to take the necessary precautions in advance of Winter Storm Juno,” Mayor Kevin Sullivan stated in a release. “Given the expectation for hazardous conditions, residents should prepare themselves, and their families, for what is expected to be a significant and potentially historic winter storm.”

As of Sunday evening, the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow with accumulations between 12 and 24 inches and high winds beginning late this evening through Tuesday at 6 p.m., the committee stated.

“Residents should register for Alert Chatham Township Now, our Emergency and Community Alert system to ensure that they receive future safety and emergency information in a timely manner,” the Mayor added in a statement. “If residents have already registered, I encourage them to go online and update and review their profiles to ensure that they are receiving the alerts they want, in the format they desire.”

As a supplement to the Township’s ‘ACT Now!’ system, the Mayor also reminded residents to “Like” the Township Committee’s official Facebook page and follow the Township Committee on Twitter.

>> Related: Blizzard to Dump More Snow on Chatham

The Township Committee is also urging residents to check on their elderly neighbors and periodically remove any snow from fire hydrants to ensure easy access by the Fire Department.

Should you lose power in Chatham, call JCP&L at 1-888-544-4877 immediately so that they are aware of the problem and can work toward restoring power in an expeditious manner, the committee stated.

In addition, the Chatham Township Senior Center and Chatham Township Municipal Building may close Monday afternoon. Residents are instructed to call 973-635-4600 in advance to confirm the facility is open.

Reporting Power Outages

>> Related: Here’s How to Report Power Outages

Chatham Residents should report power outages to JCP&L by:

• Phone: 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)
• Click here to report an outage online.
• Text: Text OUT to 544487. Register first by texting REG to 544487 (LIGHTS) to get started.
• App: Download the free JCP&L app for your Apple® iPhone® and Android™ smartphone - use the keyword “FirstEnergy” to locate the apps in the online store.

Power Outage Updates

Residents can view updated information on JCP&L’s outages, their storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, by clicking here.

Downed Wires

Residents should report downed wires to 1-888-544-4877 or to the Police or Fire Department. Never go near a downed power line, even if you think it is no longer carrying electricity.

Home Preparation Tips

• Residents are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of outages caused by winter storms:
• 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. Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from building up in your home.
• 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 to a local 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 the power is out. If you have a smart phone, this will ensure you have access to online information sources.

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