Crime & Safety
Hurricane Sandy: More Than 20K in Twp. Without Power
State of emergency still in effect, meaning driving is prohibited, but many are ignoring the ban.
Nearly half of Parsippany is without power in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Jersey Central Power and Light reports that 20,771 people in the township are in the dark. Across the state, 7 million people do not have electricity.
Downed wires and trees make being out and about in the township treacherous, said Parsippany Police Chief Anthony DeZenzo. A state of emergency is still in effect, he cautioned. That means driving is prohibited, save for emergencies. (If traffic on Route 46 is any indication, many drivers are ignoring that ban.) Police ask residents to stay in their homes.
DeZenzo said of the 150 incidents of downed live wires, poles and trees reported thus far, 73 have been addressed and cleared. JCP&L has a comprehensive list of outages and downed lines and is working toward restoration, but it will take time.
According to the chief, the town's Water Department is working on a backup generator. Water is safe and chlorinated, but police ask residents to conserve water.
Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
If you need your basement pumped, call 973-263-4300.
To report power outages, call JCP&L at 1-888-544-4877.
As your power is restored, the chief asks residents to return emergency generators that were borrowed for medical necessity so they can go to others in need. Residents utilizing generators are urged to follow the manufacturer's operating guidelines.
Most businesses in town are not open. Two Dunkin' Donuts locations (so far), at Littleton Road and on Route 46 West at Cherry Hill Road are open and doing a lot of business selling coffee; no donuts are at this time available. The Wendy's restaurant at Routes 46 and 202 is open and crowded.
Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Patch found one gas station open so far. The Delta Gas at Route 46 near Cherry Hill Road is packed with customers and parking nearby is difficult, if not impossible, to find.
The turnoff from eastbound Route 46 onto Vail Road is shut down. Patch is working to find out if there is any access to Lake Hiawatha.
A shelter is open to residents at Lake Hiawatha School.
In a morning press conference, Gov. Chris Christie asked residents to stay in their homes.
And if anyone doubts the severity of the storm, he noted that three people in New Jersey lost their lives because of Sandy.
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