'Sandy' Dominates Morristown Area News This Week

It was a long week. Things moved pretty fast and furiously here at Patch. In case you missed any of these stories, here is a recap of our "Superstorm Sandy" coverage. We hope you're doing OK.

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 need to take this storm very seriously," Tim Dougherty said during a late Sunday afternoon press conference from Morristown's Office of Emergency Management epicenter, the basement of Town Hall. "Don't wait to react, tomorrow it's going to be on."

Pre-Sandy: Few Businesses Bother Opening in Morristown Monday

n preparation of Hurricane Sandy's arrival later Monday, many area businesses didn't take chances and closed up well before things started getting windy and rainy Monday morning.

Many trees down, some in houses, on cars; at least 4,000 without power in Morristown.

The call from officials to stay inside and out of harm's way hit home for Patch Editor John Dunphy when, while shooting video on Morris Street Monday night, the Raul's Empanadas Town sign was either hit by a branch, caught by the strong wind, something—one moment it was where it's supposed to be, the next moment it was airborne.

This area is now in its recovery phase, but that doesn't mean we're out of the woods. That message, from Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, who said Tuesday about 75 percent of Morristown is presently in the dark.

Residents on Sandy: It Could Have Been a Lot Worse

While many homes in this area are without power, and are expected to stay that way for some time, most people agreed Tuesday that Sandy's fury—at least here—spared them the worst.

Sandy Impact Felt Throughout Area [Photos]

Many trees, power lines down in Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains.

Business Bustles as Downtown Morristown Stays Powered

Downtown Morristown is open for business. As the region was continuing to recover from a storm that has knocked out power for 2.5 million homes in New Jersey alone, many of those weary from Sandy flocked to Morristown. As night fell, and with both its surrounding communities and other parts of the town still in the dark, downtown literally became a light in the darkness.

There is no gas in Morristown. That, according to a Morristown Police Officer directing traffic at the corner of Ridgedale Avenue and Morris Street around noon Wednesday, amid a sea of cars, honking horns and more than a few unhappy folks.

Power Outages Continue to Drop in Morristown Area

If you're reading this from your repowered home, we're happy for you. If you're reading from a Smartphone currently being charged at one of several available charging stations in the area, we feel for you.

The good news: There's gas to be found at stations with power in and around Morristown. The bad news: Be prepared to wait. A long time.

For those that stopped by St. Peter's Episcopal Church's Maple Avenue hall Thursday night, it wasn't just about the food and drink. It was about community, something positive, simply a reason to get out of a dark, cold house.