'Frankenstorm' Plans in Place, Mayor Says

Following a meeting with representatives of agencies and organizations connected with emergency response at Town Hall Friday afternoon, Mayor James Barberio released a public statement on Hurricane Sandy and how the township is preparing for the worst, just in case.

A major storm is approaching. As your mayor, I urge you to take action now!

Flash flooding is extremely likely. Major river flooding is likely. Record river flooding is possible. Residents should maintain awareness of the weather and conditions as they worsen.

The intensity of the storm is expected to impact our area on Monday into Tuesday of the upcoming week. The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is working with all of our departments including the Parsippany Office of Emergency Management, Police Department, Department of Public Works and Parks and Forestry in an effort to prepare and respond to weather-related emergencies as they occur.

We are anticipating heavy amounts of rainfall and heavy winds. Flash flooding, road closures and downed trees and power lines are likely to occur as a result.

Plan now for an emergency:

• Please reach out to senior citizens and special needs family and friends who may require assistance for the duration of the storm.

• Include your pets in any emergency planning.  

• Residents living in flood prone areas should be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice should the need to do so arise.

• Move your vehicles to higher ground before the rainfall.

• Residents utilizing generators during power failures are urged to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines in operating the machinery. In the event residents need to seek shelter during the storm, the township will provide a location to seek refuge.

Superintendent of Schools LeRoy Seitz will notify me immediately in the event of delayed openings and school closures. Tune in to 1250 AM WMTR for information on school closures and other local information.

The town’s Office of Emergency Management held a meeting of department heads Thursday morning to coordinate the town’s response to potential emergencies. Our emergency services team members—police, fire, emergency medical services and Rescue and Recovery are staffed and ready to respond to any emergency. The town is in continuous contact with both the State of New Jersey Office of Emergency Management as well as the Morris County Office of Emergency Management for up-to-date information and planning.

The utility company Jersey Central Power and Light has advised us that it is taking the necessary precautions to prepare for any loss of power throughout the township. For power loss, contact JCP&L at 1-888-544-4877 or 1-888-LIGHTSS.

The Township of Parsippany along with its Office of Emergency Management and Police Department are working together to provide hurricane preparedness information, the most current conditions and how to prepare for hurricane weather to the media and our residents. We are following the warnings issued by the National Weather Service and monitoring the track of the hurricane as it travels along the east coast.

The Office of Emergency Management has established an Emergency Operations Center at police headquarters for the duration of the hurricane and it will be staffed 24 hours a day. If you need water pumped out of your basement or home, dial the main police number at 973-263-4300. 9-1-1 should ONLY be used for life- threatening emergencies and crimes in progress!

We encourage everyone in the community to stay informed, be prepared and avoid unnecessary travel.

National Hurricane Center 

National Weather Service New York, N.Y. 

Parsippany Police Department Facebook 

Parsippany Police Twitter  

Parsippany Police Department 

Township of Parsippany 

NJ Office of Emergency Managment