JCP&L Inspecting Storm Damage With Helicopters, Howell Police Say

HOWELL, NJ — Howell Township residents should be aware that Jersey Central Power & Light will be using helicopters to examine its transmission lines for damage that resulted from the windstorm.

Wind gusts of up to 60 mph were recorded and power was knocked out to more than 50,000 across the company's service area, including 2,200 in Howell.

JCP&L said HeloAir will be mobilizing to perform post-storm damage assessment on various 34.5kV lines in northern and central New Jersey, and then will perform routine visual patrols on all JCP&L bulk transmission lines 115kV-500kV.

"The helicopter to be used for these patrols is a blue and white Bell 206 Jet Ranger with tail registration number N701HA. These patrols are to begin as soon as the helicopter arrives," the company said. That was expected to be late Wednesday afternoon. The patrols are weather-dependent and the inspections are anticipated to take 1 to 2 weeks.

The contractor has been authorized to patrol the transmission circuits in their entirety, meaning "breaker-to-breaker," JCP&L said, so patrols on certain lines may therefore extend into the neighboring regions. The flight crew provides information on their daily location to both Transmission Lines Maintenance and the FCC, and the pilot will be in communication with any local airports when in their airspace, the company said.

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