Mayor: State of Emergency Still in Effect, Mandatory Curfew Tuesday Night

Jefferson Township will have a mandatory curfew from 7 p.m. Tuesday night to 6 a.m. Wednesday morning due to the numerous trees and power lines down from Hurricane Sandy, according to Mayor Russell Felter.

Felter said the state of emergency that was declared on Monday is still in effect, and no one should be driving in the hazardous conditions.

"They need to be careful if they're out," he said. "We prefer they don't go out but if they go out for any reason they have to be careful."

Felter warns residents to treat all downed wires as live, and to not touch them.

He said JCP&L had been working in the township Tuesday afternoon, making sure all the downed power lines and trees are removed to restore power.

According to Jefferson Police Capt. Eric Wilsusen, almost all homes in Jefferson are without power, except for a section at the bottom of Route 15 by Berkshire Valley Road.

JCP&L estimates that power will be restored in 7-10 days.

Felter said some streets, including Weldon Road, School House Road, and Berkshire Valley Road have been opened.

Espanong Road has been closed in both directions due to three telephone poles that snapped in half, he said.

Wilsusen also encourages residents to stay off roads. He said no shelter has been set up yet because of all of the hazards on the roadways.

Hurricane Sandy has cost several lives in New Jersey, including one man in Jefferson Tuesday morning, and two lives in Mendham Township Monday night when a tree fell on their pickup truck.

Felter said Halloween has been postponed until further notice.

Stay with Jefferson Patch for continued Hurricane Sandy coverage.