As Sandy Approaches, Town Prepares for Worst, Hopes for the Best

Lessons learned.

That was the message officials were hammering home Sunday at the Senior Center, as volunteered grabbed stacks of flyers to pass out to all businesses and residents about Hurricane Sandy.

"We're trying to get out as much information as we can," Mayor Tim Dougherty said as about 50 volunteers, including about 20 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers arrived to help.

"How could you not learn from last year," Dougherty said. "With luck we hope this is not as bad."

Even as winds began to pick up on Sunday, not everyone was convinced we were in for a big one.

"I have a suspicion it's not going to be a big one," said Morristown resident Alysia Slocum.

Still, the senior at Rutgers University was holding out hope that classes would be cancelled because of the storm.

Kathleen Calahan, of Morristown, wasn't taking any chances. "I've bought canned food, we have a gas stove, lanterns, flashlights," she said. "I'm just trying to stay calm."

Calahan, sipping a beverage at SmartWorld Coffee and reading a magazine, appeared to be doing just that. "We got through it last time," she said. "My worry level is low."

The worry level was low but on alert for a pair of tourists from England, who asked not to be named, in the area to see New York and Johnny Mathis' two recent concerts at the Mayo Performing Arts Center.

"We're going home tomorrow," one woman said. "That is, we hope we're going home."

Their flight out of Newark Liberty International Airport is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, around the expected height of the storm. "We're going with the theory we'll be OK," the other woman said.

Robert Brown, a Morris Township resident with a law practice in Chatham, wondered if would end up closing his office on Monday.

If everything plays out as predicted, he said, "I've never seen anything like this before. It'll be an adventure."

"I expect to be without power for some period, I'm not sure how long," Morristown resident Christine Venart said. She, like Calahan, has stocked up on the staples, "nothing refrigerated," she said.

When asked if all the coverage of Hurricane Sandy has been a bit overkill, Venart said, "it generally is.

"But, it's not a bad thing," she added. "But, it does feel a little like the boy who cried 'wolf.'"

Better to cry wolf than cry for help.

"Everybody's in," Dougherty said, referring to all government departments, businesses and residents. "Let's just keep our fingers crossed."