Community Corner

'Frankenstorm' Expected to Threaten Mendham-Chester

Officials are preparing for the storm and urge residents to do the same.

The second storm predicted to hit the area near Halloween in as many years has been dubbed by some forecasters as 'Frankenstorm' and could turn next week upside down for the greater Mendham-Chester area.

Some government forecasters are predicting an unusual mix of a hurricane and winter storm, according to the Associated Press, and the worst of it could be focused around New York City and New Jersey.

The combination of Hurricane Sandy, an approaching winter storm front and high lunar tide cycle stitch together and bring a mix of high winds, heavy rains, sleet, snow and flash flooding to the area. 

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Unknown Timetable

Hurricane Sandy is forecast to become a large coastal storm, and may affect the northern New Jersey area between Sunday and Tuesday, the National Weather Service is reporting.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The weather service wouldn’t commit to exact times or impacts, however, stating, “there remains quite a bit of uncertainty with the track and therefore with any actual impacts to our area at this time.”

Jersey Central Power & Light released a statement Thursday regarding Hurricane Sandy’s impact on the utility provider’s coverage area as well.
“As a precaution, JCP&L has placed employees on alert, and is prepared to mobilize employees and resources where needed if Hurricane Sandy develops into a threat to the region.”Jeff Paul, the director of the Morris County Office of Emergency Management said that long-term power outage preparation is advised and outages can be reported through the JCP&L website.

County Preparations

According to Paul, the county OEM will be working with the Morris County Sheriff's Office, Morris County Prosecutor's Office and Morris County Park Police to respond to "critical incidents" and offer support to municipalities in need. The Community/County Animal Response Team has also been contacted and is equipped with two trailers able to house 50 animals if needed.PSE&G has been in touch with county officials and Paul said they are preparing for gas-related issues after the storm caused by increased water levels.

"The Morris County Office of Emergency Management will be working long hours making sure that everything that can be done is being done, we will plan, we will prepare and we will be here 24-7 to support you and your local response to this storm as well as future events," Paul wrote to the local emergency officials.

Mendham and Chester Preparing

In Chester Borough, Mayor Bob Davis said that the borough has been working on storm preparations since Wednesday. As of tomorrow, Department of Public Works Superintendent Bill Harm retires and according to Davis assistant superintendent Alan Alpaugh will be taking over the lead role.

"Our chainsaws are ready and we have two trucks outfitted with snow plows," Davis said. "Our bins are full of salt and grit in the event we have a snowfall."

Davis also said he had been in contact with his police and that the council was meeting Thursday night to hire a temporary worker.

"This temporary worker would have been hired regardless of the potential for a storm since we are in the early phase of leaf pick-up in the Borough," Davis said.

In Mendham Borough, Department of Public Works Superintendent Ken O'Brien said it was a little early to say for certain which track the storm would take.

"Anyone who tells you they know before we get to Saturday morning is out to lunch," O'Brien said. "We won't know for sure until we get to Saturday morning."

But that doesn't mean O'Brien isn't knee deep in preparations.

"We have the salt trucks ready and a pair of trucks with plows," O'Brien said. "Plows serve a dual purpose. There could be snow and sleet but the plows can also clear up debris and and brush so we can make the roads passable."

O'Brien and his staff plan to work over the next several days cleaning the gutters of the municipal buildings, advising contractors on securing their materials and clearing all of the basins and outlets. According to O'Brien residents can help by preparing for the storm sooner rather than later.

"They can safely clean their gutters, make sure their downspouts are working and they can secure their garbage cans and lids,"O'Brien said. "And if they can keep their storm drains clear it would be helpful because if it gets bad I don't know if we will be able to keep up with  it."

Although O'Brien said in his opinion this storm wouldn't be as bad as last year.

"We have a lot more leaves off of the trees than we had last year," O'Brien said.

Regardless of what form the storm takes, if it arrives in our area O'Brien said residents need to take precautions.

"They need to be prepared for a sporadic loss of power," O'Brien said.


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