The Alternative Press

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ – In anticipation of Hurricane Sandy’s arrival, Sussex County, and many of the municipalities, have placed alerts, and other information, on their websites. They are as follows:

The county itself has also alerted residents to “Make your preparations now.” The County of Sussex Division of Emergency Management, will provide updates on the county’s website. Click here for the county’s website, for continuing information.

Byram Township – Byram Township has updated its website with warnings about Hurricane Sandy. “Customers Are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of lengthy power outages,” was a message posted on the township’s website. Additionally, the Township of Byram, has provided links to .PDF files on its homepage, with information from Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), and hurricane safety checklists, and other instructions from The Red Cross. Click here for complete details. 

Green Township – The Township of Green has posted a special message at the top of its webpage. It reads: The Emergency Management Team is currently preparing in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.  Every effort will be made to update this alert during this emergency.  *** Alternatively, emergency announcements will be available at 908 852-9333 extension 39 which will be updated if possible - please do not leave a message on this extension - messages may be left on extensions 10 or 11 or 18 if necessary - these will be checked regularly if possible.  *** Please see below for various additional sources of information you may use during this potential emergency.” The township has provided other sources of information, including links to the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, Sussex County Senior News, the Red Cross. National Weather Service, Sussex County’s webpage, and JCP&L. Click here for complete details. 

Hamburg Borough – Hamburg Borough has posted the following: “The Borough of Hamburg is working hard in preparation for the potential up coming storm. The OEM strongly advises each resident that loses power to contact your local energy company (JCP&L) and report it.   This will allow for the utility company to track the number of outages in the area. You should always obtain a confirmation number as well. For more information call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)or visit JCP&L at www.firstenergycorp.com************Please DO NOT call 911 or Hamburg Police if you lose power. These numbers are strictly for emergencies.*****”Click here for complete details 

Hopatcong Borough – The Borough of Hopatcong has said, “Weather forecasters are predicting a very powerful multi-day storm with heavy precipitation and flooding. If you experience a power outage please call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report your situation. Also, please report downed wires to the electric company and Hopatcong Police Department 973-398-5000. If you know of an elderly person who might need help please call the Hopatcong Police at 973-398-5000. If you are out of power for more than 12 hours Call 973-810-8346 In case of an emergency call the Hopatcong Police Department at 973-398-5000 or 911.” Click here for continued announcements on the borough’s “news” section of its website.   and the emergency link.

Lafayette Township – Lafayette Township has a link at the bottom of its website for readiness tips during a hurricane, through the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. Click here for the township’s website. 

Montague Township – Montague Township has revamped the homepage of their website, asking residents to “Prepare Now for Hurricane Safety.” The township has provided links to Ready.gov’s hurricane page, Sussex County’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Page, Outbound 9-1-1, Register Ready, their alerts page, the County of Sussex, Division of Emergency Management, and CenturyLink. This is the message from CenturyLink, posted on the township’s website:  “While we are CenturyLink are busy preparing for the anticipated storm, I wanted to make sure that the lines of communication were open in the event service is interrupted because of weather related conditions. I'm sending this to key leaders in CenturyLink's New Jersey service area. In the event it is necessary to contact me with a CenturyLink service issue, my contact information is below. Usually the best way to contact me is by e-mail because they are easy to forward to the appropriate service personnel. If you are e-mailing me about a specific service issue please include as the address and phone number. (it is also helpful to indicate if electricity is out in the area.) You may feel free to forward this e-mail to anyone who you think may need it, however, it is probably best that individuals with a routine problem call one of the numbers below, and matters in need of priority attention be sent to me. For routine service matters the general public should call our Customer Service numbers, which are: Residential: 800 366 8201 | Business: 877 365 0045.” Click here for the township’s website. 

Town of Newton – The Town of Newton has provided information about Red Cross Hurricane App for mobile phones; New Jersey Register Ready, to know when an evacuation has been ordered; and, information about FirstEnergy’s (JCP&L’s), recommendations for the storm.  Click here for complete details. 

Sparta Township – The township has posted a storm advisory on the department of public works’ page.  The D.P.W. has requested citizens clear storm drains of obstructive materials, remove dead and rotting trees and branches which could cause injury, and, secure all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans, and more, which are not tied down. The township has also provided links for the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Preparedness, and New Jersey’s Office of Emergency Management. Click here to view complete details. 

Stillwater Township – Stillwater Township has posted a link to the Sussex County Hurricane page, outage map, JCP&L phone number, township DPW, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, and information from Sussex County’s Division of Emergency Management, for outbound 9-1-1. Click here for the township’s website. 

Vernon Township – Vernon Township has asked its residents to follow the Vernon Township Police Department’s Facebook Page, for continued updates. Click here for the Township’s Facebook page, which also has posted information from the American Red Cross.  Click here for the Vernon Township Police Department’s Facebook Page. 

The Alternative Press will continue to provide news and information about Hurricane Sandy. 

The Alternative Press of Sussex County will post news, and other information, on its Facebook Page. Click here for The Alternative Press of Sussex County's Facebook Page.