The Aftermath That Refuses to be Over

A lot has happened since out still-continuing power outage began. We have re-elected a president, endured another nor’easter, visited two firehouses on three occasions to warm and re-charge, burned a lot of firewood, and developed a new appreciation for hot showers. We made our infrequent wi-fi connections at the Hackettstown McD’s instead of the crowded and noisy library (when did people forget how to behave at a library?), and spent an uneventful hour on a gas line.

Our “Generac” whole-house generator was reliable until we ran low on propane and shut it down. Propane delivery took 5 days leaving us totally powerless and forcing an evacuation of our grandkids to Rockaway Township. After propane delivery, we still needed to call on Chris Heil of Black River Electric to get the Generac running. He diagnosed the problem and adjusted a feed valve. Apparently this replacement generator was not properly set up during installation. Everything has been working to spec and we’re able to shut down the device and restart it without incident.

WRNJ 104.7 FM hosted mayors from area municipalities, including our own Ken Short who explained the efforts being made by both the township and power companies. As with our propane company, I find it incredulous that JCP&L, who cut line personnel from 50 to 12, did not have the ability to mobilize additional personnel to strategic locations given the ample warnings of the upcoming storms. Our township DPW was quick to clear roadways from downed trees, but the only utility vehicles I saw for many days were from ComCast and Xfinity. Our local fire companies, library and some churches and businesses provided respite from the cold and dark, but the only local FEMA presence I heard about was late and in Morris Plains.

So here we are, November 10, with no power, a hundred gallons of newly purchased and painfully depleting propane, no idea when power will be restored, but grateful to be safe, dry, and warm—even for a short time. If this is to be a normal autumn occurrence, residents will to become even more self-reliant and at the same time find ways to get government and utility companies to pay attention to their responsibilities. When no one is listening, it’s time to wake them up.