Morris County Snow Storm Update: 57K Without Power

MORRIS, NJ — 57,000 people are without power in Morris County because of a heavy nor'easter, less than a week after a nor'easter knocked out power to 51,000 customers.

As of 7:48 p.m. on Wednesday, 57,595 customers are without power. That number is up significantly from the morning, when only 8,000 customers were still without power from last week's storm. JCP&L's website is still showing power restoration for all towns by Thursday night, but the heavy snow and safety concerns have forced JCP&L workers to stop repair efforts. (See a full break-down of affected towns and target restoration times below.)

UPDATE, THURSDAY, MARCH 8: Click here to see up-to-date information on the storm as of Thursday, March 8.

"At this time we cannot predict any additional impact this storm may have on electric service or ongoing restoration efforts, but significant snow accumulations will create additional outages and slow our work. Customers who have been out the longest are our top priority, and any new outages will be restored based on our storm process," JCP&L officials said. "We know this is extremely difficult, and we thank you all for your fortitude and support of our crews."

Crews worked through much of the storm Wednesday but were forced to stop Wednesday evening as winds picked up and visibility decreased.

Some towns have been hit harder than others, but almost all Morris County towns have asked residents to stay off the roads and stay inside. Some towns have gone so far as to ask residents to put off shoveling until Thursday, to avoid any potential contact with downed power lines. (See town-by-town updates below.)

Many schools have already decided to close or delay classes for Thursday. See all of the decisions made so far here. Don't see your town? They might not have decided yet. Check back later.

Here is a town-by-town breakdown of power outages:

Here are the latest impacts the storm is having in the Morris County area:

Morris County Office Of Emergency Management:
Current forecast data shows the peak of the storm is approaching our area. We anticipate that we will see an increased snow intensity throughout the afternoon and evening, with the peak of the storm reaching our area between NOW and 7PM.

During this time, we will likely see 1-2" per hour snowfall rates, with the potential for 2-3" per hour. In addition, current forecast data indicates that we may experience white-out conditions, with the possibility of well over 1 ft. of snow across the county with the potential of 16" in some areas.

Please continue to monitor local conditions and restrict travel to emergencies and essential travel only.

Chatham Township

SECONDS COUNT: Please coordinate with your neighbors and speak with your plow drivers to ensure that the fire hydrant closest to your home remains clear of snow. It is imperative that the Fire Department can get to the hydrant from the street and attach the hoses all around. Following major snowstorms hydrants are often completely buried and difficult to find. If the snow freezes, it is extremely difficult and time consuming to shovel them out.

In the event of a fire, every second counts. Please help us by taking note of the hydrant closest to your home and speak to your neighbors and help keep them shoveled.

IMPORTANT ALERT: Storm conditions continue to make safe travel extremely difficult and dangerous. Falling trees and tree limbs continue to pose a significant danger. At the present time most of Chatham Twp is without power. Due to the number of live wires that are down and roads that are impassable all residents are encouraged to shelter in place and remain off the roads. Please contact your elderly neighbors.The Chatham Twp Police Department is presently responding to multiple calls and if you are experiencing an emergency as always dial 911. We will assist all other non-emergency calls as we can. DPW crews are working diligently to clear the roads. Due to the previous storm damage and today’s snow caused damage, power outages are likely to be extended for some time.We thank you for your patience. As soon as the conditions are deemed safe to travel by the CTPD we will open a warming station and advise you of the location. We appreciate you understanding the strains on our departments such an emergency poses and for your assistance.

Florham Park Police

Hey friends, this kinda goes without saying, but, the roads are treacherous and impassible! PLEASE stay inside. There are trees and LIVE wires down town-wide, many roads are closed, and it is just dangerous! Our Officers, DPW, Fire Dept, and EMS are working hard to keep everyone safe and the roads clear, but it is not easy!!! As our dispatch center is inundated with calls, please be patient if you have an emergency, our folks are doing their best!!

The Municipal Court will be open to utilize as a warming station tomorrow. Call 911 for immediate/necessary assistance

Parsippany

Route 10 West is closed from Dryden Way to the border of Parsippany. Numerous vehicles are disabled. If you are stuck on this stretch of the roadway NJDOT is aware and trying to get plow trucks to the area.

Wednesday, 5:02 p.m.

We are going to make this short and to the point. Do not attempt to drive. We have multiple impassible roadways. We have a slew of calls that include a transformer fire, along with multiple downed wires and trees. We also have multiple disabled vehicles due to the roadways being impassible. You are risking your safety, along with the first responders and tow truck operators when they have to come and assist you. Again please stay off the roadways.Please remain inside your residence were it is safe until the storm has stopped and roadways have been cleared.

Morris Township

Shelter in place, do not go outside as falling tree branches can be very dangerous.

Residents reliant on power for medical devices and sustainability call 973-5390777 and ask to speak to a supervisor if you need power.

Madison

Advisory: ROADWAYS are impassable. REFRAIN from driving unless it is ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY.

Any vehicles abandoned on any borough roadway will be towed at owners expense.

For your safety STAY INSIDE, there are numerous live power lines down. Wait until morning to shovel your driveway.

Morristown

ROADWAYS ARE CURRENTLY UNSAFE, DO NOT DRIVE UNLESS YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY! SHELTER IN PLACE IF POSSIBLE

As per Chief Demnitz Morristown Police, the public is urged to stay off the roads as you are putting emergency personnel in danger.

The Colonial Coach will NOT be running on Wednesday, March 7th.

Due to the declared State of Emergency and inclement weather, Morristown Town Hall will be CLOSED for non-essential business on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.

East Hanover

Residents are reminded there is no parking on streets anytime during snow fall. This is to facilitate the snow removal by our Department of Public Works. The governor has declared a state of emergency. So please stay home. Thank you.

Mount Olive

Residents are reminded that during the snow storm, there is no street parking. All vehicles left on the
roadway will be ticketed and/or towed if necessary.

Additionally, residents are required to remove snow from sidewalks within 12 hours of daylight after
the snow has stopped falling. Residents are reminded not to deposit snow, ice or debris from the
sidewalks or driveways into the roadway.

Chatham Borough

The Chatham Police and Office of Emergency Management are requesting that all residents stay off Borough roads in person and in vehicles due to the worsening storm conditions. Also, it is very important to stay indoors due to live power lines being down around the Borough and covered with snow. If your residence has lost power please contact JCPL at 1-888-544-4877 to report an outage. Thank you for your assistance and please be safe.

Mountain Lakes

Randolph

The Police Department has made the decision to temporarily close Millbrook Avenue due to deteriorating road conditions. The road will remain closed from Everdale Road to the jug handle at Route 10 until further notice. Motorists are advised to choose an alternate route.

Wharton

The Wharton Police Department is ticketing and towing all vehicles left parked on the roads in Wharton and Mine Hill. Vehicles are not permitted on the roads until the snow has stopped and the DPW has stopped plowing. Thank you for your assistance.

Butler Police

Power lines that feed Butler Power substation have blown. No ETA when power will return.

Hanover

As a reminder, please keep all vehicles off the road so that the Township plows can clear the roads. Also, snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks within 12 hours of the end of the storm. Thank you for your understanding.

Areas high ways are seeing crashes, downed trees, and more (via 511NJ):

• As of 6:50pm, there's a Downed tree on I-287 southbound ramp to Exit 45 - Vreeland Ave in Boonton. Ramp closed and detoured.
• As of 6:48pm, there's a Downed tree on US 46 eastbound West of CR 649/Netcong Rd in Mount Olive Twp. Ramp closed and detoured.
• As of 7:25pm, there's a Disabled vehicle on I-287 northbound North of Exit 34 - CR 663 in Morris Twp. All lanes closed 10-15 minute delay.
• As of 6:28pm, there are Downed wires on NJ 23 in both directions area of South of CR 660/Newark Pompton Turnpike in Pequannock Twp. All lanes closed and detoured.
• As of 6:25pm, there are Downed wires on I-287 southbound ramp to Exit 44 - US 202 in Boonton. Ramp closed and detoured.
• As of 5:59pm, there's a Disabled tractor trailer on I-80 westbound ramp to southbound Exit 43 - I-287 in Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp. Right lane closed 10-15 minute delay.
• As of 4:47pm, there's an Accident on NJ 10 westbound NJ 53 in Morris Plains. All lanes closed and detoured 30 minute delay.

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