Bad Weather In Livingston: What To Do If Power Goes Out, Floods Hit

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A little bit of knowledge can go a long way when stormy weather hits.

With a severe weather forecast looming over New Jersey this weekend, Livingston town officials are reminding local residents to be prepared in case of power outages or flooding.

Here is some important information to be aware of in Livingston.

Power Outage

In the event of a power outage, report the outage to your electric utility:

• JCP&L Customers:
  • by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877),
  • by clicking the “Report Outage” link on firstenergycorp.com,
  • or by texting OUT to LIGHTSS (544487).
• PSE&G Customers:
  • by calling 1-800-436-PSEG (7734),
  • by clicking the "Report Outage" link on nj.pseg.com/outageandgasleaks
  • or by texting OUT to PSE&G (47734).

Downed Wires

Report downed wires immediately to your electrical utility at one of the phone numbers shown above and contact the Livingston Police Department at 973-992-3000.

Always stay at least 30 feet away from downed wires, even if you believe they are no longer carrying electricity. Use extra caution in areas where downed lines are tangled with trees or other debris. Drivers approaching intersections with inoperable traffic signals should treat those intersections as four-way stops.

Flooding

Please be alert to possible flooding on roads, paths, and walkways.

Remember that flash flooding can occur quickly, and just 6 inches of water can sweep a person off of their feet.

Never drive into flood water without knowing how deep it is -- 6 inches of water can reach the bottom of most cars and cause loss of control and possible stalling, and one foot of water can float a vehicle off of the road.

Don't take any chances: Turn Around, Don't Drown

Storm Drains

Help prevent flooding by clearing the catch basins of storm drains of debris. Debris like leaves and sticks will occasionally gather around catch basins and can lead to clogs and localized street flooding in severe storms. The debris can be removed with a rake or shovel and bagged with other yard waste. Yard waste is collected twice-per-week with garbage collection and should be put out on your curb.

Generator Safety

If you have a generator, keep it outside and not in the basement, garage, or another part of the house to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, make sure the generator is placed at a safe distance from any windows or doors by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Who Owns What?

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) reminds customers to be aware of individual outages to their homes that may require an electrician and inspection before service can be restored. Who Owns What (PDF) provides information explaining what equipment customers may need to have addressed by an electrician before power can be restored.

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