Strong wind gusts from a series of rainstorms caused power outages for thousands of New Jersey residents on Monday afternoon, with Morris County among the hardest hit areas. As of 3:20 p.m., nearly 400 homes in Randolph, about 200 in Denville and Parsippany, and approximately 100 in Morris Plains were left without electricity, according to Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L). The total number of outages across JCP&L’s service area reached around 3,000, but within an hour, the number of affected customers was cut in half as crews worked to restore power.

Widespread Impact Across North Jersey

Other power companies also reported outages. Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) recorded 24 separate outages affecting 366 customers, while Orange & Rockland Utilities, serving the northern edge of Bergen and Passaic Counties, had about 150 customers without power. These outages resulted from a series of fast-moving storms that swept through North Jersey on Monday afternoon.

Storms and Weather Conditions

The National Weather Service (NWS) had forecasted these storms, which were expected to continue until at least 8 p.m. The storms moved in from the west, bringing with them a cold front that aimed to push the humid air out of the region. According to the NWS, the weather was predicted to calm down by late evening, providing some relief to the affected residents.

Power Restoration Efforts

Utility companies mobilized quickly to address the outages. JCP&L, PSE&G, and Orange & Rockland all dispatched crews to restore power as swiftly as possible. Despite the significant impact of the storms, the quick response from these companies helped reduce the number of outages significantly within a short period. By late afternoon, many residents had their power restored, though some areas remained affected as efforts continued.

Looking Ahead

As the storms moved out and the cold front settled in, the weather conditions were expected to stabilize. Residents were advised to stay updated on weather forecasts and take necessary precautions until the storms completely passed. The experience highlighted the importance of being prepared for sudden weather changes and the critical role of utility companies in swiftly addressing power outages to minimize disruption to daily life.

The sudden and powerful windstorms on Monday served as a reminder of the vulnerability of infrastructure to extreme weather conditions. While the rapid response from utility companies mitigated the impact, the outages affected thousands and disrupted routines. As weather patterns continue to become more unpredictable, both residents and service providers must remain vigilant and prepared to handle such emergencies efficiently.