Severe storms knock out power to thousands at the Shore

Tens of thousands of Jersey Shore residents were without power early Wednesday afternoon after potent severe storms lashed the region.

(Jana Shea/WHYY)

(Jana Shea/WHYY)

Tens of thousands of Jersey Shore residents were without power early Wednesday afternoon after potent severe storms lashed a portion of the region.

In a series of severe thunderstorm warnings issued for portions of Ocean and Monmouth counties, the National Weather Service warned of wind gusts in excess of 60 mph.

JCP&L outage data indicates that Ocean County was the most severely impacted. During a coronavirus press briefing Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that the storms knocked out power to 66,000 utility customers. Downed wires were reported in the region.

More than 12,000 utility customers without power as of 2:35 p.m, with Berkeley, Brick and Toms River reporting the highest numbers.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

The power company expects restoration for all areas by 5 p.m. The region is still recovering from prolonged power outages inflicted by Tropical Storm Isaias.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal