How cold is it in Morristown?
“I’m going to a hockey game to get warm,” Mayor Tim Dougherty said on Tuesday.
Of course, he works at Newark’s Prudential Center, and must make sure there is good ice for the Devils-Flyers game. We’re guessing that won’t be too difficult, thanks to the Polar Vortex.
When the Mayor stopped into Morristown town hall on Tuesday morning, the temperature was “a balmy 2 degrees,” he said. By the time we caught up with him around 11 am, it had climbed to a sultry 7 degrees.
A National Weather Service wind chill advisory remains in effect through 6 am on Jan. 8, 2014. Wind chills of minus-15 are possible, and the public is advised to take precautions against hypothermia and frostbite.
The seniors center at town hall is open as a warming station during business hours, and the firehouse on Speedwell Avenue offers continuous refuge for the duration of the cold snap. One person came to the firehouse for about an hour on Monday night, said Fire Chief Robert Flanagan.
Mayor Dougherty advised residents without heat to call the town’s property maintenance department at 973-292-6700. For shelter, call Frank Somma at the town’s Office of Emergency Management at 973-390-1575.
SAFETY TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE COLD
The Mayor urged residents not to take any risks with gas heaters, stoves or even extra blankets. If they lose heat, they should call the above numbers immediately and seek help, he said.
“Don’t try to be creative,” the Mayor said. “It’s really dangerous when it gets this cold.”
And that’s especially true for pets. Don’t leave them outside for too long, said the Mayor, who has a toy poodle.
“He doesn’t like the cold. We put a sweater on him.”
