It has been over 48 hours since Tropical Storm Isaias hit New Jersey, and unfortunately, the majority of Mendham Township residents are still without power. The Mendham Township Office of Emergency Management has been in constant contact with JCP&L and county and state officials. This evening, I was alerted that JCP&L hopes to restore power to 85% of New Jerseyans by tomorrow - Friday, August 7th. The notice that the majority of customers will be restored by Tuesday, August 11th is a global Estimated Time of Restoration (ETR). This worst-case estimate is generated at the beginning of the assessment process and, in many cases, later replaced by a more specific restoration estimate.

In addition to the distribution lines that are affected by falling trees, and poles and wires coming down, the transmission system has also been damaged considerably. This has disrupted everything down the line including substations and transformers. Crews have come in from Canada, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Washington, DC, and many Midwestern states. There are in excess of 2,000 out-of-state crews who are assisting in New Jersey’s restoration process.

At the peak of this week’s storm, 1.4 million people were without power. In comparison, during Super Storm Sandy’s peak, NJ had 1.7 million customers without power. 

Our Department of Public Works has also been working around the clock to clear the fallen trees and brush off our roads. At this point, the only fallen trees that have not been cleared on Township roads are trees that are tangled in power lines. DPW cannot clear those trees until JCP&L confirms that there are no live wires on the scene. As of this afternoon, Leddell Road and Hamilton Drive are reopened. 

Unfortunately, there are still a few roads that are impassable. Please do not drive on closed roads or around barricades, wires or cones. 

Charging stations have been set up at the Brookside and Ralston Firehouses where residents can come charge their electronic devices from 9am to 9pm. If you need access to non-potable water, there is a hose available for public use at both firehouses 24/7. If you have any questions, please call the Mendham Township Emergency Operations Center at (973) 543-7213.

Sarah Neibart 

Mayor, Mendham Township