Powerless...

That title refers to the state my parents house has been since super storm Sandy rolled through last Monday and how I and alot of the community in West Amwell Township, NJ have been feeling. I realize this was a huge storm that casue widespread damage and feel very luck that my parents didn't have any damage and still have their house and possessions, but they live on a major road and it's still closed and hasn't been dealt with. We've asked them to come stay with us for a while to visit and spend time with JD, but they'd rather stay there. It's their home and I understand that. However, I think they're getting a little bored without TV.

There are some things that my parents have on their side though.

1. Luckily, my brother lives in the area and for the first 4 or 5 days after the storm, while he and his girlfriend were also without power, they stayed at my parents. They are now back home, but my brother stops daily to start the generator in the morning and checks on them on the way home.
2. They have a generator. There are many people in the township who don't have one, which means no heat in this cold we've had recently and more importantly, no water. There is no city water in the township; everyone has wells and no power = no well pump.
3. They have a propane stove and water heater and the heat is fuel oil. They can cook and when the generator is running to power the thermostats, they have hot water and heat.
4. They have a land-line phone that's not cordless, so they can make and receive calls.

I joined a group on Facebook for West Amwell Township NJ and the community members on there have been great about sharing information. They have also been very verbal and contacted and continue to contact their representatives, the governor's office, the power company, the state utility board and the local TV stations and newspapers. Just yesterday, a crew from Channel 6 news WPVI from Philadelphia went to the elementary school to interview residents and township officials and they also went to some residents' houses to see how they are living. Amazing work by a very small community that pulled together to be heard!

I've been hearing that utility crews have been on my parents road today and am keeping my fingers crossed that they will have power back tonight or tomorrow.

Update: Mom and dad finally got power back on going into Day 13 (Saturday Nov. 10th)!