Livingston Opens Emergency Shelter, Closes Schools Two Days For Snow.

Livingston is still trying to recover from blackouts and fallen trees throughout the township in the wake of the weekend snowstorm. 

The Livingston school district shut down all its schools and programs today due to power outages and down trees, according to the district's website.

All schools and programs  will also be closed on Tuesday, according to Jessica Ganz Lipper, the district's press officer. The only buildings with power are Hillside and Burnet Hill elementary schools and the Mount Pleasant complex, Ganz Lipper wrote in an e-mail. 

The Livingston school district has three snow days built into the academic calendar and classes will be in session on Election Day, according to a public alert sent out by school officials. The alert said there will be an increased security presence at the elementary school polling places. 

But Livingston High School's new fitness and wellness center off Madonna Drive was opened Sunday afternoon as an emergency shelter for residents without electricity, according to the township's website.

Those who need transport to the shelter should call the township police at 973-992-3000. The website mentions that there is limited supplies at the shelter and advises residents to bring medication and "home comforts." Pets are not allowed. 

The township website also tells residents to be patient as municipal workers are clearing trees from the roads and advises the public to stay off the streets. 

"We are aware that power is off in many places throughout the town and are in communication with the power companies as they work to restore power," the township website said. 

The Livingston Public Library was closed Sunday due to the power outage and telephones did not work, according to the library's website. The library was closed again on Monday because of the continued power outage. 

The outdoor book drop is still open and fines will not be assessed for days the library is closed, said Amy Hyfler, the library's assistant director.  

Trick-or-treating postponed on township streets, but ok at mall

Halloween trick-or-treating will be canceled in the township and rescheduled for Friday, Nov. 4, Township Manager Michelle Meade said.

The Livingston Mall is open, has power, and there will be trick-or-treating indoors for children while supplies last, according to a mall spokesman. The children enrolled in the Simon Malls's Kidgits Club will also get a special Halloween treat.

Livington emergecy workers handled multiple emergency calls

Detective Sgt. Anthony Dippold said the police received "an astronomical amount" of 911 and non-emergency phone calls over the weekend, most of them due to fallen trees and power lines. The fire department and Livingston First Aid Squad also responded to many calls. 

The township municipal building and emergency center are within the blackout zone, but Dippold said both are running with backup energy generators.

The portions that are hazardous to travel on include North Livingston Avenue from Harrison Elementary School toward Route 280 and West Northfield Road between Hillside Avenue and the Route 10 traffic circle, Dippold said.

Many traffic lights are out in Livingston and a lot of businesses are also closed along Livingston Avenue, he added. 

Livington residents are advised to stay at home and avoid traveling, if possible, for safety reasons, Dippold said. 

Many power outages still being fixed by crews

The Jersey Central Power and Light Internet power outage map listed 1,720 Livingston residents as of 1 p.m. Halloween.

The Public Service Electric & Gas Internet power outage map listed more than 10,000 Essex County residents were still without power as of 1 p.m. Halloween. The company is also handling more than 10,000 power outages in Bergen and Passaic counties, and outages in ten other counties throughout the Garden State, according to the Internet map. 

In a press statement sent out Monday afternoon, PSE&G said it had 150 crews and 212 tree crews working around the clock to restore power. About 145,000 customers were still without electricty on Monday, with the hardest hit counties being Bergen County with 87,000 customers, Essex County with 62,700 customers, and Passaic County with 9,800 customers.  

The company expects to have 95 percent of its customers restored to power by midnight Wednesday, the press release said. Utility crews from Alabama, Georgia and Missisippi were brought in as well to assist with electricty restoration.

It was unclear how many Livingston customers lost power due to the snowstorm. A PSE&G spokewoman wrote an e-mail Monday morning saying the company was "unable to provide town-specific information during an event like this."   

To report a power outage to JCP&L, call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877).

To report a power outage to PSE&G, call the customer service line at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).