US: Snowstorm causes power outages, more than 600K in New Jersey affected
More than 600,000 homes and businesses are without power this morning after yesterday's powerful Nor'easter dumped up to 19 inches in parts of New Jersey, snapping trees and bringing down power lines across the state.
"I can't even begin to tell you how many trees and lines we have down throughout the township. Too numerous to mention," said Bridgewater police Lt. Robert Wilt.
Officials warned it could be days before many see electricity restored.
The combination of heavy, wet snow, leaf-laden trees and frigid, gusting winds brought down limbs and power lines. At least three deaths were blamed on the weather, and states of emergency were declared in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and parts of New York.
PSE&G reported 271,000 customers without power as of 8:30 this morning. Crews have been working overnight however some customers in Bergen and Essex Counties may not get power restored until Wednesday, the company said.
About 260,000 JCP&L customers are without power, said spokesman Ron Morano, noting that Morris County suffered widespread outages.
Several towns across the Garden State packed more than a foot of snow, including West Milford in Passaic County at 19 inches, Sparta in Sussex County at 16.8 inches, and Rockaway and Marcella in Morris County both at 16.4 inches, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.
Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency Saturday evening.
In Morris County, 110,473 utility customers lost electricity, and large swaths of Sussex County are also without power. A falling tree injured a Jefferson Township man around 8:30 last night, said Sgt. Joseph Johnson. The man was in the backyard of his home, said Johnson who did not have additional details at the time.
"The vast majority of the county is out of power," said Ray Hayling, division director of the Morris County Office of Emergency Management. "There are trees down on power lines, poles are snapped, the weight of the snow on the branches are taking down the lines."
Hayling said hotels are filled. Shelters have been opened in Morristown Town Hall on South Street, in Madison in the ambulance building on Prospect Street, in Denville at the senior center on East Main Street, in Mountain Lakes High School and in Harding at Christ the King Church across from the municipal building.
"Our roads are passable if you want to wind around trees that are down," said Joshnson.
Wilt estimated that about a third of the township was without power after the storm. Parts of Route 28, Foothill Road, and other roadways were closed. Police this morning are also working to respond to elderly residents, some of whom have no power, to find them warm shelter, he aid.
A shelter had not been opened in the township, Wilt said, but police were attempting to coordinate efforts with the Red Cross.
"We're pretty much in a state of emergency here. We're going from call to call," he said.
Residents In Newton are starting to dig out this morning.
"Right now (we're) pretty much cleaning up a mess," said Sgt. Frank Philhower of Newton police.
The side streets are still under snow but major roadways like Route 94 have already been cleared, he said.
"They're clear now, they're just wet," said Philhower. But with the sun peeking out, he said, those side streets are starting to get icy.
PSEG's next outage update will be at 11:30 this morning. JCP&L has restored power to 70,000 utility customers since the start of the snow storm, said Morano.
© Frances Micklow/The Star-Ledger
Lynn Sutter shovels her driveway so she can get to the hospital in the morning for work as the first snow storm of the season hits Butler.
Lynn Sutter shovels her driveway so she can get to the hospital in the morning for work as the first snow storm of the season hits Butler.
"I can't even begin to tell you how many trees and lines we have down throughout the township. Too numerous to mention," said Bridgewater police Lt. Robert Wilt.
Officials warned it could be days before many see electricity restored.
The combination of heavy, wet snow, leaf-laden trees and frigid, gusting winds brought down limbs and power lines. At least three deaths were blamed on the weather, and states of emergency were declared in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and parts of New York.
PSE&G reported 271,000 customers without power as of 8:30 this morning. Crews have been working overnight however some customers in Bergen and Essex Counties may not get power restored until Wednesday, the company said.
About 260,000 JCP&L customers are without power, said spokesman Ron Morano, noting that Morris County suffered widespread outages.
Several towns across the Garden State packed more than a foot of snow, including West Milford in Passaic County at 19 inches, Sparta in Sussex County at 16.8 inches, and Rockaway and Marcella in Morris County both at 16.4 inches, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.
Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency Saturday evening.
In Morris County, 110,473 utility customers lost electricity, and large swaths of Sussex County are also without power. A falling tree injured a Jefferson Township man around 8:30 last night, said Sgt. Joseph Johnson. The man was in the backyard of his home, said Johnson who did not have additional details at the time.
"The vast majority of the county is out of power," said Ray Hayling, division director of the Morris County Office of Emergency Management. "There are trees down on power lines, poles are snapped, the weight of the snow on the branches are taking down the lines."
Hayling said hotels are filled. Shelters have been opened in Morristown Town Hall on South Street, in Madison in the ambulance building on Prospect Street, in Denville at the senior center on East Main Street, in Mountain Lakes High School and in Harding at Christ the King Church across from the municipal building.
"Our roads are passable if you want to wind around trees that are down," said Joshnson.
Wilt estimated that about a third of the township was without power after the storm. Parts of Route 28, Foothill Road, and other roadways were closed. Police this morning are also working to respond to elderly residents, some of whom have no power, to find them warm shelter, he aid.
A shelter had not been opened in the township, Wilt said, but police were attempting to coordinate efforts with the Red Cross.
"We're pretty much in a state of emergency here. We're going from call to call," he said.
Residents In Newton are starting to dig out this morning.
"Right now (we're) pretty much cleaning up a mess," said Sgt. Frank Philhower of Newton police.
The side streets are still under snow but major roadways like Route 94 have already been cleared, he said.
"They're clear now, they're just wet," said Philhower. But with the sun peeking out, he said, those side streets are starting to get icy.
PSEG's next outage update will be at 11:30 this morning. JCP&L has restored power to 70,000 utility customers since the start of the snow storm, said Morano.
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