More Than 6K Still Powerless, No School Tuesday

More than 6,000 residents remained without power Monday night, according to an update on the Bernards Township website.

At about 9 p.m. Monday, outages in town were recorded at 6,730.

However, power had been restored to Spring Ridge and the Cedars at that time, and Lake Road again was open. Tree crews had been dispatched to Whitenack Road and King George Road by JCP&L, the 9 p.m. update said.

The website listed roads where the power company is said to be working on power, but other roads also may receive power, according to the 3 p.m. update. Bernards Township phones reportedly were down on Monday, and residents are asked to communicate via email if possible.

With continued power outages, parents were notified on Monday afternoon that school also will be closed on Tuesday. Further notification will be given on Tuesday.

A JCP&L spokesman, Ron Morano, said shortly before 3 p.m. on Monday that estimates released by JCP&L are in fact, estimates, and may vary from the numbers that are actual. He also said that sometimes the numbers may go up temporarily when certain customers whose power already was restored may be brought offline again temporarily while work is being done in that area.

Morano said that JCP&L has more than 8,000 working on power restoration, but the power company continues to deal with "big problems" in infrastructure.

The Bernards Township Library said on its website that the library will open today as a warming and recharging area, and will remain open through 9 p.m. before resuming regular hours on Tuesday. Library Director Ruth Lufkin said earlier this afternoon that wifi is working at the library.

About 400 people visited the first five hours that the library was open on Monday, Lufkin said.

The Somerset Hills YMCA in Riverwalk was scheduled to open to both members and non-members at 5:15 a.m. on Monday, providing showers, warmth and facilities. The Riverwalk Mall and nearby 100 Marketplace Mall both were functioning with power and providing food and services.

The Fellowship Deaconry at 3575 Valley Road in the Liberty Corner section also is among those offering temporary housing, warm meals, and kids activities. More information is available on the website, http://www.deaconry.org/hurricanehelp.

The township's update said: "Bernards Township has removed every tree possible. The remaining downed trees have wires and need to be removed by JCP&L. JCP&L is around town and in the process of removing them," the township's 9 a.m. update said. The update said township officials are trying to "working feverishly" to try to get more detailed information from the power company.

Halloween scheduling will follow governor's orders, but caution stressed.

The update noted that the Governor has already set an executive order setting Monday as the day for Halloween. But officials cautioned, "Please use EXTREME caution and common sense. There are wires, trees, branches and debris down everywhere. If you are taking your children out trick or treating, do it only during the day and not after the sun sets."

The library's director, Ruth Lufkin, said on the website that power is back on at the library, and the staff intends to openat 1 p.m. on Monday.
 
Travel in the area of the library at 32 S. Maple Ave. was still complicated by blockages on South Maple Avenue and South Finley Avenue. The downed wires at North Maple and East Oak have been cleared and the library is accessible via North Maple Avenue, Lufkin said.
 
Leisure Learning programs and the Current Issues Discussion Group meeting for Monday, November 5 are canceed.  Information about rescheduling of programs, where possible and appropriate, will be available at a later date, Lufkin said. Library fines will be adjusted, she said.
 
"Whether you need a place to be warm, to charge your devices, get information about disaster relief, or talk with someone about the experiences of this extraordinary week — or borrow a book, DVD, magazine or music CD — your library staff members look forward to welcoming you soon at Bernards Township Library," Lufkin said in a message.

The Basking Ridge Patch will continue to update this story.