Updates on Storm Recovery Efforts from Mayor Jennifer Rowland
(Last Updated July 8th, 2026)
Thank you to all of our residents for your patience and neighborly support as we work through this natural disaster. Our volunteer first responders have been working tirelessly alongside our police, public works department, and utility crews from JCP&L. Township administration has been in continuous contact with the Morris County Office of Emergency Management, and I have met with Governor Sherrill and representatives from JCP&L. Despite the storm blowing through so quickly, it was extremely destructive and the damage is widespread across Northern New Jersey. I encourage all residents to sign up for Act Now Chatham Township, our emergency alert system, to ensure you do not miss critical safety updates, as well as our Township Newsletter. Please see below for updates on relief and recovery updates:
Power Restoration: We will continue to update this post with any new information from JCP&L as it comes in. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, 325,000 customers were without power across northern New Jersey. As of the morning of July 8th, approximately 184 households in Chatham Township remain without power, and all of our critical municipal buildings (Police Department, Public Works, Municipal Building, and Sewer Plant) are now restored. Crews are being brought in from as far as Canada to assist with road clearing and grid repairs.
To view estimated restoration times for specific areas, please use JCP&L’s outage map. Please note that the time estimates are worst-case scenarios; utility crews are working as fast as they can and expect the majority of customers to be restored before the listed time.
Downed Power Lines and Closed Roads: We are working with utility crews to clear remaining road closures as fast as possible. For the safety of our personnel and residents, Public Works and Police are not permitted to clear downed wires. As of the evening of July 7th, Buxton Road and Lake Road remain closed and impassible. The Township has been continuously escalating these closures through multiple channels, and we are hoping that these roads will be opened on the 8th.
Cooling and Charging Centers: The Library of The Chathams, Chatham Senior Center, and Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township are open as places to cool off and charge your electronics. All three locations are handicap accessible. Their addresses and hours can be found below:
Senior Center of The Chathams: 58 Meyersville Road, Chatham NJ, 07928
(Mon-Fri 9 am – 3 pm)
Library of the Chathams: 214 Main Street, Chatham NJ, 07928
(Mon-Thu 9:30 am – 9 pm, Fri 9:30 am – 6 pm, Sat 9:30 am – 5 pm)
Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township: 240 Southern Boulevard, Chatham NJ, 07928
(Mon-Thu 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, Fri 8:30 am -1:30 pm)
Additionally, JCP&L Customers can pick up water and ice at several locations throughout the county, including our local Shoprite at 641 Shunpike Road. A complete list of pickup locations is available here.
Debris Pickup: Chatham Township’s Department of Public Works will begin curbside pickup of storm debris today, July 7th. Crews will begin west of Green Village Road and make a single pass travelling through town, picking up any storm debris that is 16″ or less in diameter. Please be aware that our DPW cannot clear debris from County roads.
Additionally, the Township’s Compost Center on Tanglewood Lane will be open with extended hours from 7:30am-12:30pm, on July 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th, as well as during regular hours on Saturday the 11th from 8:00am-3:00pm. Our compost center is open to Township residents free of charge! Landscapers are not permitted to use the facility for health and safety reasons.
For additional information, please contact the Department of Public Works Main Office.
We will continue to update you with any and all information as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience, and stay safe.
Jennifer Rowland, Mayor, Chatham Township