JCP&L Preparing Morris Co. For 4th Nor'easter This Month

MORRIS, NJ — The calendar says its spring, but the weather is delivering one last dose of winter with the fourth nor'easter this month heading Morris County's way. After the first two delivered significant amounts of snow and even more significant power outages, JCP&L is sharing important information for Morris County residents.

The county is expecting at least a foot of wet heavy snow and wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour, which could knock out power. JCP&L says they've put storm and staffing plans into place, and already have additional crews on the way as a preventative measure.

Here are some of the steps JCP&L says they're taking to prepare for the storm:

• Staffing additional dispatchers and analysts at regional dispatch offices
• Checking equipment and vehicles to make sure they are ready to operate in heavy snow conditions
• Communicating with emergency management officials, state officials, regulators and local officials about storm preparation efforts
• Ramping up storm updates on social media and on the company website. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com
• Communicating with customers regarding storm preparation tips and safety reminders
• Continuing efforts to secure mutual assistance crews to help with restoration efforts.

In the event you do lose power, JCP&L is sharing tips for how to stay safe, warm and informed during the black out:

• Keep electronic devices such as cellphones, laptops and tablet computers fully charged to be ready for any emergencies.
• Keep a flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries handy in the event a power interruption occurs. Tune to a local station for current storm information.
• Never use a portable generator inside the house or a closed garage in the event of a power outage. Ensure the proper generator is selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.
• 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.
• 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.

JCP&L has come under fire from residents and politicians for the way they handled outages stemming from three back-to-back nor'easters. Thousands of residents were without power for ten days as two storms dumped nearly two feet of snow.

Gov. Phil Murphy has ordered a state review of the utility companies' handling of the back-to-back storms, and to see if they adhered to post-Sandy changes.

"We are going to examine what went wrong, and whether the plans for protecting and strengthening our grid devised post-Sandy have been followed statewide," he added.

Murphy was also the subject of criticism for how he handled the first storm, with several North Jersey lawmakers calling on him to declare a state of emergency after the first storm. He eventually declared one in anticipation of the second storm.

• READ MORE: Gov. Murphy Orders Probe Of Power Companies After 2 Nor'easters

JCP&L defended their handling of the storms, however, saying the intensity of the winds and amount of snow make it impossible to move any faster.

"These back-to-back nor'easters packed a devastating punch to the electric system that far surpassed a normal snowstorm, particularly in the heavily forested area of [northern New Jersey]. The high winds and large accumulations of heavy, wet snow created road closures, treacherous conditions and extensive tree and equipment damage," the company said.

Read More:

• Get Off The Roads Before The Storm Hits, Morris Co. Officials Say
• NJ Nor'easter: Winter Storm Warning As Snow Estimates Rise Again
• Recycling Pushed Back In Florham Park Due To Snow
• Garbage Pick-Up Still On In Madison Ahead Of Storm
• Free Garage Parking For Morristown Residents During Storm

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