12K Lose Power; NJ Severe Thunderstorm Watch In 21 Counties

More than 12,000 were without power on Wednesday evening as a severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect for 21 New Jersey counties (see list of towns below).

Strong storms packing 60-mph wind gusts were still possible, bringing drenching rain that could cause nightmares for commuters.

The National Weather Service also issued a severe thunderstorm warning – meaning that the threat is more imminent – to certain parts of New Jersey. Damage to roofs, siding, trees and power lines was possible as the warning alert was expected to move around the state.

The watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Here is the list of towns with outages:

1. TINTON FALLS BOROUGH 1,329
2. BERKELEY TOWNSHIP 1,055
3. HOLMDEL TOWNSHIP 1,031
4. MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP 985
5. WHITE TOWNSHIP 912
6. BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP 886
7. WALL TOWNSHIP 796
8. HAZLET TOWNSHIP 713
9. BEACHWOOD BOROUGH 514
10. TOMS RIVER TOWNSHIP 472
11. NEW PROVIDENCE BOROUGH 324
12. SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP 315
13. PERTH AMBOY CITY 283
14. SHREWSBURY BOROUGH 275
15. EATONTOWN BOROUGH 266
16. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP 257
17. SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS BOROUGH 230
18. SOUTH TOMS RIVER BOROUGH 222
19. COLTS NECK TOWNSHIP 219
20. NEWARK CITY 196
21. SUMMIT CITY 152
22. PINE BEACH BOROUGH 126
23. WILLINGBORO TWP 125
24. RUTHERFORD BORO 113
25. BRICK TOWNSHIP 113
26. OCEAN TOWNSHIP 100
27. HARMONY TOWNSHIP 92
28. MORRISTOWN TOWN 82
29. UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP 78
30. WEST NEW YORK TOWN 73
31. BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP 68
32. LACEY TOWNSHIP 65
33. MOUNT LAUREL TWP 57
34. Folsom Boro 53
35. MANASQUAN BOROUGH 36
36. BELVIDERE TOWN 36
37. BAYONNE CITY 34
38. SEA GIRT BOROUGH 33
39. BLOOMFIELD TWP 26
40. NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP 25
41. MANSFIELD TWP 22
42. TEWKSBURY TOWNSHIP 21
43. ROSELLE BORO 20
44. IRVINGTON TWP 19
45. East Greenwich Twp 15
46. BERNARDSVILLE BOROUGH 15
47. EAST ORANGE CITY 12
48. BEVERLY CITY 11
49. BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP 10
50. PEMBERTON TWP 9
51. CINNAMINSON TWP 8
52. SPRINGFIELD TWP 8
53. SPRING LAKE BOROUGH 8
54. Mantua Twp 7
55. MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP 6
56. CLINTON TOWNSHIP 5
57. KEANSBURG BOROUGH 5
58. FAR HILLS BOROUGH 5

Here were the alerted areas as of 6:30 p.m.:

Here were the alerted areas as of 3 p.m.:

Here were the alerted areas as of 1:30 p.m.:

The NWS also has issued a hazardous weather outlook and a flash flood watch, saying there is a chance of thunderstorms happening during Wednesday afternoon and evening. Some of the storms may be severe, with damaging winds the primary threat.

The showers and thunderstorms are forecast to bring periods of heavy rain to New Jersey after 3 p.m. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are expected for some areas, with local amounts of up to 3 to 4 inches possible.

This rain could fall in a short period of time which could lead to areas of flash flooding. Wind gusts as strong as 60-mph or more are possible.

As heat and humidity hold on in the eastern United States, a slow-moving swath of drenching showers and thunderstorms will advance from the Appalachians to New Jersey and eventually stall, according to AccuWeather.

As the storms approach heavily populated areas, travel disruptions will increase with the potential for some roads to be blocked by rapidly rising water, according to AccuWeather.

Airline delays are likely as the storms approach and pass over airports.

Residents from central and eastern Maryland and Delaware to eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, southeastern New York and southern Connecticut could face more widespread incidents of violent wind gusts and flash flooding of streams, creeks and smaller rivers, according to AccuWeather.

"The afternoon commute could prove to be difficult and slow in the major cities, so motorists should be prepared for delays and reduce speeds in heavy downpours to lessen the risk for hydroplaning," AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Elliott said in a release.

Here is the forecast:

• Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
• Wednesday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.