Trenton, NJ – More than 100,000 New Jersey residents woke up Monday without electricity as a powerful winter storm continued to blanket the state in thick, heavy snow, triggering widespread disruptions and prompting urgent warnings from utility officials.
JCP&L reported 72,268 customers without service out of 1,153,446 customers served as of Monday morning, with outages expected to rise as the storm moves through. Snow totals have surpassed one foot across most of the state, weighing down trees and utility lines. PSE&G which services central New Jersey is reporting almost 4,000 customers without power.
In Ocean County, thousands of residents in Brick and Toms River were among the hardest hit, with neighborhoods reporting darkened streets and blocked roadways as snow continued to accumulate overnight.
Utility crews respond as outages mount
A statewide emergency declaration remains in effect, with officials urging residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. State leaders said road conditions remain hazardous due to snow-covered pavement and limited visibility.
JCP&L issued a public safety advisory warning residents about the danger of downed lines hidden beneath the snow. The utility stressed that any fallen line should be treated as live and dangerous.
“Please use caution if you must go outdoors,” the company stated. “Downed or low-hanging power lines can be hidden by the heavy snow. Stay at least 30 feet away and report hazards immediately by calling 911.”
- More than 72,000 JCP&L customers reported without service Monday morning
- Snow totals exceed one foot in most areas statewide
- State of emergency declared with residents urged to remain indoors
The heavy, wet snow associated with the ongoing blizzard has increased the likelihood of tree damage and extended power restoration times. Utility crews are assessing conditions, but ongoing snowfall and blocked roads have complicated response efforts.
Officials warned residents not to attempt to remove debris from utility equipment or approach lines tangled in trees. Crews are expected to continue restoration operations throughout the day as weather conditions permit.
Forecasts indicate snowfall will persist into the afternoon before tapering off, with temperatures remaining below freezing, raising concerns about icy conditions on untreated roads and sidewalks.
Restoration efforts continue as storm moves through state
