JCP&L: 65% Power for Twp. by Sunday Night

Dozens of Jersey Central Power & Light crews have infiltrated Washington Township Saturday, with a promise by the foreman to Mayor Ken Short that two-thirds of residents would have electricity by midnight Sunday.

Some 500 residences were restored in the municipality Friday, but 6,302 residences remained in the dark at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Short said the crews are working on substations first, then moving into damaged areas. There's no pattern or priority that's been communicated as to which section or neighborhood will be focused upon before others.

Being offered a dumpster dispose of spoiled food at the Department of Public Works Saturday morning, residents filled the repository, Short said. The township is offering another opportunity to do the same between noon and 3 p.m. Monday, again at the DPW on Rock Road.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) visited the township Saturday morning to assess damage, Short said. “They were very professional and very thorough” while surveying the impact Hurricane Sandy made on the area, Short said.

As for Short said it is still “conditionally” going to happen. A late Sunday or early Monday assessment will be made to see if roads and walkways are safe enough for children to traverse.