Stormy Weather Closes Schools, Roads In New Jersey

Strong winds and stormy weather have prompted school closures, caused power outages and created a number of problems in New Jersey on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory across the state, which will be in effect until 11 a.m.

• Winds will continue to move south at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to around 45 mph, primarily in heavier showers and isolated thunderstorms.
• Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down, and a few power outages may result.

More than 27,500 homes and businesses lost power Tuesday morning, particularly in Monmouth, Morris, Gloucester, Somerset and Burlington counties. More than 1,000 PSE&G customers and 10,000 Atlantic City Electric customers lost power, while First Energy reported more than 2,000, according to the companies' outage maps.

All Lumberton School District schools in Burlington County are closed Tuesday after PSE&G reported that wind blew down a tree onto wires on Eayrestown Road. The power company was working to restore power to the 292 customers affected.

Franklin Township schools in Gloucester County canceled preschool, while the district was on a two-hour delay Tuesday.

In towns such as Bridgewater, police were working on multiple, minor crashes because of rain.

The crashes are located on Route 22 West between Interstate 287 and Routes 202/206 in Bridgewater. Police sent out the alert to motorists around 9:05 a.m.

Read more: Rain Causes Multiple Crashes In Bridgewater

A wind storm that hit the region overnight has resulted in downed trees and wires throughout Gloucester Township, police said Tuesday morning. Drivers are advised to use caution when driving.

Read more: Wind Storm Results In Downed Trees, Wires In Gloucester Township: Police

The weather could get worse during the day since more rain could happen. Read more: Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued For Stormy NJ Weather

Here are some other impacts:

• A downed tree and downed wires was impacting traffic on U.S. 322 in both directions at Route 655/Fries Mill Rd in Monroe Township. All lanes closed.
• An accident with injuries was impacting traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway northbound south of Interchange 14 - I-78/U.S. 1 and 9 in Newark. HOV lanes are open to traffic.
• A downed pole on U.S. Route 206 was impacting traffic in both directions at Route 621/Woodside Avenue in Newton. All lanes are closed and detoured.
• Downed wires were discovered on Fort Lee Road in both directions from Broad Avenue to Highland Street in Leonia. All lanes are closed until further notice.

Patch file photo