JCP&L Continues Work, Tax Payments Delayed

In Hopatcong's latest update, officials announced Thursday that 23 JCP&L trucks were out in the borough, although no specific locations were identified.

Officials said in the release that although some areas have been restored, over all the "restoration by JCP&L has been very slow and we believe to be overestimated."

Some residents commented on the Hopatcong-Sparta Facebook page and said they saw crews working on Maxim Drive, Brooklyn Mountain Road, and by St. Jude's on Thursday.

No new numbers of power restoration were announced since Wednesday when officials said 80 percent of residents were still without power.

Some residents have already reported having power back on Chincopee Avenue, Lilchester Road, River Styx Road, Amherst Way, and Elba Point.

The statement pointed out that there has been some misinformation about the water in the borough. Officials want to make sure residents know that the water from the borough tanks do not have to be boiled for use.

Officials also said there was a water break in the Civic Center on Thursday. They said the DPW repaired the break, and has since restored the water service.

Because of the devastation thousands of residents are facing, Hopatcong has extended the tax payment deadline from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30.

Officials remind residents to use the Hopatcong High School shelter for food, showers and sleeping. The shelter will remain open until further notice, the statement said.

Officials also announced on Thursday that all borough schools will remain closed until further notice.

As the borough is nearly two weeks without power with numerous poles and trees still down, Mayor Sylvia Petillo said that the hurricane has brought "historical damage and unprecedented emergencies to Hopatcong."

"Our residents continue to suffer and face the despair of uncertainty of the restoration of power," she said.

Petillo said the borough will continue to provide updates as they receive them daily.

"We are working continuously to help our residents thru this time of crisis," she said.

Residents and Business Owners may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). If you are unemployed because of the disaster and to see if you qualify, you should call NJ Reemployment Call Centers at 201-601-4100 or 732-761-2020 or check the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development website at http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/ui/aftrfile/dua.html

The deadline for this application is Dec. 3.

Petillo recommends residents to sign up for emergency alerts at the Sussex County website by registering at http://www.sussex.nj.us/ and clicking the Outbound 9-1-1 icon.

The non-emergency number contact for the borough is 973-810-8346, and for emergencies call 911.

For safety and preparedness tips, check out the borough's update from Wednesday.

Stay with Patch as we provide daily updates from the borough.