*** EMERGENCY DECLARATION ***

The Office of Emergency Management has declared a Local Disaster Emergency in Hazlet Township.

This declaration prohibits travel on roads and limits travel to essential personnel only.

Due to downed power lines and trees, travel is extremely dangerous and everyone must stay off the roads until travel can be made safe.

Non essential businesses are to remain closed until further notice.

All municipal offices will be closed and all events cancelled.

Please check the township web page and facebook page for updates and more information.

Right now in the Emergency Operations Center, your municipal leaders are preparing contingency plans for the next several days. Here in the EOC are Mayor Dave Tinker, Deputy Mayor Mike Sachs, Committeeman Jim Brady, Committeeman Joe Belasco, Emergency Management Coordinator Tom Horner, First Deputy Coordinator John Beslanovicz, Second Deputy Coordinator Will Marvel, Township Administrator Brian Valentino and Public Works Superintendent Dave Rooke.

It is virtually impossible to drive through, across or around town. Please for your own safety and those of our dedicated emergency responders (all of whom have left their families and homes to help protect you and our community), do not try to drive. Shelter in place as best you can.

The Emergency Operations Center is running on generator power and our only internet connection is a thready-at-best iPhone Hotspot. We do not know how long or how often we will be able to provide updates.

Thanks for your understanding and continued support.

*** RUMOR CONTROL ***

JCP&L Confirmed to the Hazlet EOC will NOT be shutting down power unless their substations become submerged in water. They do NOT believe that is going to occur. Either way, there are no PLANS to shut off whatever remaining power is still on.