1,300 Without Power In Howell Due To Strong Winds (Updated)

HOWELL, NJ — More than 1,500 homes and businesses in Howell and Farmingdale remained without power late Monday afternoon after strong winds swept across New Jersey on Monday.

Jersey Central Power & Light's outage map shows the largest area of outages off Lakewood-Farmingdale Road near Easy Street and Soldier Memorial Park. Another cluster of outages is in the area of Fort Plains Road.

The power company has not estimated when power will be restored. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph have been reported in some parts of New Jersey and a high wind warning remains in effect until 6 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

JCP&L said it cannot raise bucket trucks when wind speeds are 40 mph and above, for safety reasons.

If You Lose Power:

• Call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report outages immediately, or report online or via text messaging. Our call centers will be fully staffed. The more people who call, the faster we can pinpoint the location where crews must be sent for repairs.
• Immediately report downed wires to 888-544-4877 or your local police or fire department. Never go near a downed power line, even if you think it's no longer carrying electricity.
• Stay more than 30 feet away from downed power lines, don't walk or drive near or over a downed line, and watch out for anything touching the line. If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay inside until help arrives.
• Keep children and pets away from any wires.
• Unplug appliances like refrigerators and freezers, and sensitive electronic equipment like TVs and computers, so that they won't overload when power is restored.
• When operating a generator, always disconnect the power coming into your home. Otherwise, power from your generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers. The proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician.

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