Sandy: Handy Numbers for a Hurricane

Usually we take some time every Monday to let you know what stories you can expect to see on Chatham Patch each week. This week, those stories are pretty predictable.

We'll let you know where there's damage from Hurricane Sandy. We'll bring you coverage of power outages and flooding, and how the Chathams fare in the storm.

Schools in Chatham and the Library of the Chathams are closed Monday and Tuesday.

Emergency responders in Chatham Borough and Chatham Township are preparing for the hurricane, but the most important thing they need is your cooperation.

Township Mayor Nicole Hagner and Borough Police Chief Philip J. Crosson request that residents stay indoors and off the roads to help officials respond to real emergencies as quickly as possible.

If you see fallen trees or tree limbs or downed wires, contact authorities at the numbers below.

As Hurricane Sandy approaches New Jersey, emergency workers are reminding people that call volume skyrockets during a crisis. Many of the calls are non-emergency calls that could be better handled by another agency. 

The following is a partial list of phone numbers to call releated to specific problems you may have:

• Power outages, call JCP&L: 1-888-LIGHTSS (544-4877) or PSE&G: 800-436-PSEG (7734)
• Phone service or FIOS television, call Verizon: 1-800-837-4966
• Cable TV service, Cablevision: 866-633-0193
• Downed trees in Chatham Township, call the Chatham Township Police Department: (973) 377-0100.
• Downed tress in Chatham Borough, call the Chatham Borough Police Department: (973) 635-8000

For any emergency situation, however, residents should not hesitate to call 9-1-1.