Old Bridge Township

Monitoring Weather and Prepared to Respond   Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) meteorologists are closely monitoring the developing weather conditions. JCP&L is prepared to activate its storm response and Incident Command System plans.   In the event outages occur due to severe weather, customers without power are encouraged to report their outage by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), clicking the “Report Outage” link on www.firstenergycorp.com, or by texting out to 544487.     Customers should immediately report downed wires to 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or call their local police department.  JCP&L reminds customers to stay away from downed wires, even if they believe they are no longer carrying electricity.  Extra caution should be used in areas where downed lines are tangled with trees or other debris.  Motorists are cautioned to treat intersections with inoperable traffic signals as four-way stops.   JCP&L customers can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive weather updates in advance of major storms and updates on scheduled or extended power outages.  Visit www.firstenergycorp.com/connect to enroll.   Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com   

Thunderstorm Preparation Tips  

· Check local weather forecasts.  

· Watch for warning signs of an approaching storm.  

· Plan ahead - know where you will take shelter in case of a storm.  

· Stay indoors. If a suitable building is not available, get inside a vehicle with a steel roof. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, or in convertible automobiles. 

· Stay away from tall structures such as towers, fences, telephone poles, or power lines and avoid contact with water, appliances, metal objects, or other conductors of electricity.  

· Boaters and swimmers should immediately go ashore and take shelter, well away from the water.  

· In the woods, take shelter under shorter trees. Make yourself the smallest target possible. Squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet with your head between your knees. Do not lie flat. 

 · At home, do not take a shower or bath. Current from a lightning strike can travel through water pipes.  

· Do not talk on a hard-wired telephone during the storm. Telephone lines can conduct electricity, too.  

· Unplug air conditioners and other major appliances to protect them from lightning strikes.  

· Tune to a local radio or TV station for storm information.  

· Be aware of severe thunderstorm, tornado, or flash flood watches/warnings that may be issued. Watches tell you when and where severe weather is likely to occur; warnings are issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar.