In the Dark: Phelps Family Deals Without Power

When Celina Phelps' alarm rang early Sunday morning, signaling her house's loss of electricity, she went back to sleep.

"We weren't worried about it," the Hopatcong mother of six said.

But by Tuesday afternoon electricity still hadn't returned to Phelps' Lakeside Avenue home. She said she tried calling the Jersey Central Power & Light, only to hear automated messages.

As of early Wednesday morning, JCP&L's power outage webpage said 1,235 Hopatcong customers were still without electricity after Hurricane Irene slammed the borough, snapping trees and flooding and closing roads. The power company said almost 15,000 Sussex County residents were also without power.

But Phelps said her family's trying to look on the bright side.

"It's a pain in the butt," she said. "But whatever. It's not the end of the world."

Phelps said she snagged the last two bags of ice at the Jefferson Pathmark on Sunday afternoon. But it's run out, and she doesn't have running water. She said she's been able to cook, however, due to her gas stove.

Phelps said her children—including Logan, 14, and Connor, 11, who were with her Tuesday afternoon at —have taken to the power loss well, despite being without their video gaming systems.

"That's been the best part for me, and the worst part for them," Phelps said.

The Hopatcong police department said Tuesday the high school locker rooms and showers would be available to borough residents without electricity.

Police also said borough residents can fill up from water buffalos at Hopatcong fire company No. 3 on Hopatchung Road.

Finally, JCP&L said Tuesday residents without electricity can head to nearby supermarkets for free water and ice.