Ice storm cuts power in Howell
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

GARY GELLMAN A Howell police car sits at the intersection of West Farms and Fort Plains roads, where a tree came down in last week's ice storm and damaged power lines.

HOWELL - In the wake of an ice and snow storm that struck New Jersey on Feb. 14-15, the township's emergency services went into action.

The storm knocked down trees and coated power lines with ice. Power was knocked out to many homes in Howell and throughout Monmouth County as a result of the storm, leaving employees of Jersey Central Power and Light working to restore service, according to a press release from the utility.

Overall, more than 120,000 customers in Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex and Burlington counties were affected, according to the press release. Howell was among the hardest hit areas, JCP&L said.

Howell police Capt. Steve Dreher said police headquarters received more than 1,100 calls, including 14 calls for emergency medical services.

The Howell Office of Emergency Man-agement (OEM) set up a heating station at the Howell First Aid and Rescue Squad, Kent Road, and an emergency shelter at Memorial Middle School, Adelphia Road.

Dreher said the OEM designates shelters based on availability. He said that in the event of an emergency residents should call the police department for further directions.

OEM Director Ron Sanasac could not be reached for comment.

According to JCP&L, the fastest way for residents to begin the restoration of their power is to report the outage by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS.

Residents should avoid opening their refrigerator or freezer. According to JCP&L, a full freezer can keep food frozen for up to three days if it is kept closed.

JCP&L also suggests unplugging major appliances until after the power has been restored and never using a stove or an oven to heat a home.

JCP&L warned that additional power outages may occur as the ice melts and trees thaw with a rise in temperature.