Holmdel, NJ – More than 150,000 Jersey Central Power & Light customers across New Jersey remained without electricity Saturday morning after strong thunderstorms brought damaging winds, heavy rain, and downed trees and power lines across much of the state Friday night.
According to JCP&L’s online outage map, 150,454 customers were without power as of Saturday morning. Restoration efforts continued across the utility’s service territory as crews repaired damaged infrastructure ahead of another hot day with heat index values expected to approach 100 degrees in some areas.
Morris County reports most outages
Morris County had the largest number of reported outages, with 53,086 customers without electricity. Monmouth County followed with 40,360 outages, while Sussex County reported 13,476 customers without power.
Union County reported 12,833 outages, representing about 45% of JCP&L customers in the county, the highest percentage among those listed on the utility’s outage map.
County outage totals
JCP&L reported the following outages by county Saturday morning:
- Burlington County: 2,643 customers without power (17%)
- Essex County: 498 customers (4%)
- Hunterdon County: 8,602 customers (14%)
- Mercer County: 259 customers (1%)
- Middlesex County: 4,300 customers (5%)
- Monmouth County: 40,360 customers (14%)
- Morris County: 53,086 customers (25%)
- Ocean County: 7,615 customers (3%)
- Passaic County: 70 customers (less than 1%)
- Somerset County: 3,845 customers (10%)
- Sussex County: 13,476 customers (23%)
- Union County: 12,833 customers (45%)
- Warren County: 4,952 customers (9%)
Heat and additional storms in the forecast
The widespread outages come as New Jersey prepares for another day of oppressive Fourth of July heat. The National Weather Service is forecasting afternoon temperatures in the upper 80s, with heat index values nearing 100 degrees across portions of the state.
Forecasters are also calling for a 30% chance of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms, creating the potential for additional localized outages while restoration work continues.
Officials remind residents to stay away from downed power lines, treat every wire as energized, and report outages directly to JCP&L. Anyone without air conditioning during the holiday weekend is encouraged to seek relief at local cooling centers or other air-conditioned public facilities if needed.
Key Points
- More than 150,000 JCP&L customers remained without power Saturday morning after Friday night’s severe thunderstorms.
- Morris County reported the largest number of outages, while Union County had the highest percentage of customers without electricity.
- Dangerous Fourth of July heat and additional thunderstorms could complicate restoration efforts throughout the holiday weekend.
