NJ Power Crisis
Severe Storms Leave Hundreds of Thousands in New Jersey Without Power, Disrupting Holiday Weekend
Key Points
In addition to Morris County, outages were heavily concentrated in Monmouth, Burlington, Hunterdon, Middlesex, and Essex counties according to JCP&L and PSE&G outage maps.
Outages surpassed 177,000 statewide by 7:30 a.m. Saturday, with thunderstorm gusts reported at 60–70 mph and NWS noting dozens of downed trees and power lines in Hunterdon, Monmouth, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties, with more storms forecast for 3–10 p.m. on July 4.
Utility-specific outage tallies showed JCP&L with about 152,731 customers out of power and PSE&G with roughly 28,200 affected; PSE&G also reported 1,776 active outages at the time.
Morris County was among the hardest hit locally, with JCP&L reporting more than 67,000 customers affected and Monmouth County over 47,000, along with debris affecting NJ Transit tracks near Hoboken and partial closures on Route 46 East.
Officials announced cross-honoring of NJ Transit tickets due to suspended lines, while Gov. Sherrill urged residents to report outages and avoid downed lines; NJDOT also warned of blocked roadways from downed trees.
A powerful line of thunderstorms tore through New Jersey late Friday, knocking out power to more than 177,000 customers statewide by 7:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Yahoo News. Wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph snapped trees, downed power lines, and left residents across the state facing a dark holiday weekend amid a heat wave with temperatures near 100°F.
JCP&L reported roughly 152,731 customers without power, while PSE&G logged about 28,200 outages, according to NJ1015. The damage stretched across multiple counties and disrupted road and rail travel, with more storms forecast to hit between 3 and 10 p.m. on July 4.
Morris and Monmouth Counties Bear the Brunt
Morris County was hit hardest. JCP&L reported more than 67,000 customers without power there alone, according to NJ1015. Monmouth County was close behind, with over 47,000 outages. Burlington, Middlesex, Essex, Hunterdon, and Sussex counties also reported significant numbers of customers in the dark.
The National Weather Service noted dozens of downed trees and power lines across Hunterdon, Monmouth, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties, according to Yahoo News. PSE&G also reported 1,776 active individual outages at one point Saturday morning, adding to the already strained restoration effort.
NJ Transit Lines Suspended, Roads Blocked by Debris
The storm knocked NJ Transit off schedule across several lines. Services in Morris County, Essex County, and the North Jersey Coast Line were suspended, according to NJ.com. Debris landed on tracks near Hoboken, forcing the suspensions. Officials announced cross-honoring of tickets so riders could switch between lines at no extra cost.
Roads also took a hit. The New Jersey Department of Transportation warned drivers of blocked roadways caused by fallen trees. Partial closures were reported on Route 46 East. Emergency call volume surged as residents reported downed wires and damaged property across the region, according to NJ1015.
Governor Urges Caution as Crews Race to Restore Power
Governor Sherrill urged residents to report outages directly to their utilities and to stay away from downed power lines. She warned that even lines that appear dead can still carry a lethal charge. Utility crews were deployed across the state to clear debris and restore service, though restoration timelines varied by county and utility.
Officials cautioned that the work was far from over. A second round of severe storms was forecast for the afternoon and evening of July 4, raising the risk of new outages before the first wave was fully repaired, according to Daily Voice. Travelers were urged to check NJ Transit updates before heading out for holiday plans.
Heat Wave Compounds the Misery for Affected Residents
Losing power during a heat wave is more than an inconvenience — it can be dangerous. Parts of New Jersey were seeing daytime highs close to 100°F, according to Yahoo News. Without air conditioning, elderly residents and young children faced the greatest risk. Local officials encouraged affected residents to seek out cooling centers.
The storm struck at one of the worst possible times: the start of a holiday weekend. With travel already heavy and more severe weather on the way, officials across the state asked for patience. Crews from JCP&L and PSE&G were expected to work through the holiday to bring power back to remaining customers, according to WPGT Talk Radio.
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