Six Days After Sandy, Pockets of Power Outages Linger in Nazareth Area

The hum of generators is no longer prevalent in the Nazareth area, but pockets of power outages still linger six days after Superstorm Sandy hightailed it out of the Lehigh Valley.

Adding insult to injury, a Nor'easter -- bringing a combination of rain and snow -- is expected midweek.

Current Outages in Met-Ed Territory (as of 8:30 p.m. Saturday):

• Nazareth Borough -- 371
• Upper Nazareth Township -- 363
• Lower Nazareth Township -- 181
• Bushkill Township -- 278
• Plainfield Township -- 517
• Stockertown -- Less than 5

Current Outages in PPL Electric Utilities Territory (as of 8:30 p.m. Saturday):

• Upper Nazareth Township -- 2 
• Lower Nazareth Township -- 20
• Bushkill Township -- 107
• Plainfield Township -- 4
• Stockertown -- 1
• Tatamy -- 8

As of noon Saturday, PPL Electric Utilities said 87 percent of affected customers had their power restored. The company previously said it hopes to have the lights back on for all -- including the Lehigh Valley, parts of Bucks and Montgomery counties, the Poconos and northeast Pennsylvania -- by 11 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4.

In situations of extreme damage, PPL explained on its Twitter account, it's possible that small pockets could remain out Monday-Tuesday. Customers who are not expected to be restored by 11 p.m. Sunday will be notified.

Met-Ed expected to have 95 percent of Sandy-affected customers restored Saturday. In areas near Easton, Boyertown, Reading, Hamburg and Stroudsburg, the majority should be restored by Monday, Nov. 5. The remaining customers, Met-Ed added, should be restored by Wednesday, Nov. 7.

The American Red Cross shelter in the Dieruff High School gymnasium, 815 N. Irving St., Allentown, is still open for residents of Northampton and Lehigh counties.

There is limited hot water for showers, and residents are asked to bring personal toiletries and towels. Meals are available and residents may use the facility as a warming center, if needed. The shelter is also pet friendly.

On a positive note, Nazareth area residents celebrated Halloween -- three days late. Trick-Or-Treat was held Saturday in Nazareth Borough and in Upper Nazareth, Lower Nazareth and Bushkill townships.

Tell Us: How are you coping with an extended outage? Tell us in the comments section below.