Jersey Central Power & Light App Can Be Used to Report Service Interruptions Caused By Nor’easter 
Morristown, N.J. – If the wet, heavy snow and strong winds from the nor’easter cause power interruptions, Jersey Central Power & Light’s (JCP&L) mobile optimized website and new mobile app can be used by customers to report their outages and learn about the company’s overall restoration efforts. 
The free app is available for AppleR iPhoneR and Android™ smartphones. JCP&L customers can use the keyword "FirstEnergy" to locate the apps in the online store. A new mobile website is also available to customers who use a smartphone to visit www.jcp-l.com 
Features of the website and app include: 
A simple power outage reporting process and access to the company’s 24/7 Power Center outage maps; 
A click-to-call feature to reach customer service and links to the 
company’s social media sites; 
One-click access to the full company website from each page of the mobile site. 
Even if a customer’s home is without power as a result of severe weather, mobile phones can be charged with a car charger. By using a smartphone, customers will continue to have online access until JCP&L is able to restore electric service. 

In addition to the mobile app, JCP&L customers can find the latest outage information on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandLor on Twitter @JCP_L.

FEMA Housing Assistance Is Based On Damage To Essential Living Areas...
12/18/2012 12:34 PM EST

TRENTON, N.J. -- Some households with property damage received a letter from FEMA that said “insufficient damage.” The FEMA housing inspector reported that the essential living areas in the home were safe, sanitary and functional. People who disagree can ask for a re-inspection.

FEMA can only provide rent or repair money when there is damage to the living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms used by occupants of the home.

FEMA will reconsider a request for housing assistance, and there are other options:

Home generator safety is a critical issue during long-term power outages. If you own a generator for your home, please take the time to read this important message:
Portable generators, widely used when power lines are down, can prove fatal to homeowners, utility workers and even your neighbors when used improperly. A generator connected to a home's wiring or plugged into a regular household outlet can cause ‘backfeeding’ along power lines and electrocute anyone who comes in contact with them – even if the line seems dead. 

It happens when a portable generator is connected directly to the home’s wiring without having a functional transfer switch. Without a transfer switch, a portable generator’s electricity can be sent back into the power grid from your house. This will energize the utility’s power lines on the street and poses an electrocution hazard for those who may not know that the voltage is present on the shared lines.

The general public – as well as first responders – should assume that all power lines are energized and the risk of electrocution is high if proper measures are not observed.

“Even though power may be out in your immediate area, improperly connected portable generators are capable of ‘backfeeding’ power lines thought to be inactive,” said Commissioner Constable. “In addition, as the utility’s power is restored, your portable generator and house wiring may be severely damaged from improper usage.” 

Division of Fire Safety Director William Kramer, Jr., also warns that although portable generators can be very helpful to during outages, “it is imperative that the public follow safety guidelines when using one.”

Hazardous weather impacts New Jersey residents on a regular basis. Many of us have experienced the long-term power outages, flooding, evacuations, property destruction, debris and other impacts to our daily lives that can result from the onset of nature’s fury. We can’t stop the onset of a natural hazard; but there are steps you can take to increase your safety and comfort when adverse conditions occur.
We encourage you to download and read through this “Hurricane Survival Guide for New Jersey,” and take the actions necessary to secure your family and home. The preparations you make for hurricanes will also help you survive all types of natural disasters.
The first step is to stay informed, via traditional or social media. The second step is to discuss hurricanes and other natural hazards with family members and determine ways to stay close and connected regarding your evacuation plans and locations. Consider those in your family or community who might need extra assistance, due to age or disability, regarding emergency plans. Don’t forget your pets! The third step involves
gathering emergency supplies; many of these items can be found around your home.
Get ready now, be an example for others, share this information with those who need it. And thank you for being part of a more prepared New Jersey.
THE NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

To prepare for a hurricane, you should take the following measures:

• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Know your surroundings.
• Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted.
• Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you.
• Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.
• Make plans to secure your property:
• Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.
• Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
• Determine how and where to secure your boat.
• Install a generator for emergencies.
• If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor.
• Consider building a safe room.

Hurricanes cause heavy rains that can cause extensive flood damage in coastal and inland areas. Everyone is at risk and should consider flood insurance protection. Flood insurance is the only way to financially protect your property or business from flood damage. To learn more about your flooding risk and how to protect yourself and your business, visit the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (NFIP) Web site,www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419. For more detailed information on how you can protect your property, view NFIP’s printer-friendly handout Avoiding Hurricane Damage.

MILFORD, N.J. (AP) - November 4, 2011 (WPVI) -- Authorities on Friday blamed fumes from a gasoline-powered generator for the deaths of an elderly couple discovered hours before electricity was restored to their rural New Jersey home.
Kearns said a final cause of death will be determined from autopsies, but preliminary findings indicated the couple succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator they were using to power electric heaters and appliances after being without power since Saturday's storm.

The generator was found in their enclosed garage. Investigators also were looking into whether there was a working carbon monoxide detector in the home.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8419773

http://www.holmdeloem.org/generator-safety.html

Just being near them could cause electrocution...
If you see a power line anywhere, do not touch it or get anywhere near it. If a downed wire is live, it would activate the ground around it.
A 20 year-old man was electrocuted in Springfield Saturday evening. Springfield Police Lt. William Collins told 22News that the man had gotten out of his car and touched a wooden guard rail that was electrified due to downed power lines.
http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/Beware-of-downed-wires

Safety tips click here...