Power still not back for thousands in South Jersey after storm

The power is still out for thousands throughout the region.

Frustration is starting to set in, especially in South Jersey.

Attorney Bill Caruso’s Camden County home serviced by Atlantic City Electric has been without power since Tuesday.

“You rely on power for so many things these days,” he said Thursday. “You find you are in the sweltering heat,  you are losing food you spent money on, you can’t use your washer and dryer.”

Caruso said he can’t believe he doesn’t have an estimated restoration time yet.

Atlantic City Electric’s Frank Tedesco said the utility has restored power for half of the 260,000 customers who lost it during the storm.

“We’re beyond the assessment now, we have crews out working as we speak,” he said. “We don’t want to give an estimated time of restoration until we are able to fully assess the situation.”

Many Atlantic City Electric customers will get power back Saturday, but some may be out of luck until Sunday, Tedesco said.

As utility crews cut through downed trees in the region, about 124,000 homes and businesses — mainly in Camden and Gloucester counties — remain without Atlantic City Electric service.

PSE&G, which had more than 12,000 customers without electricity, said it expects to have service back to most of them by Thursday night.

Atlantic City rail service remains suspended. Buses are running between Atlantic City and Philadelphia.

For homeowners using a portable generator for the first time, Tedesco said to be sure it’s at least 15 feet from your house.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.