Thousands Without Power As NJ Plunges Into Deep Freeze

High winds have caused power outages for thousands of residents across the Garden State as dangerously cold temperatures freezes the region.

The National Weather Service reported that wind gusts between 45 and 60+ miles per hour have been observed across the area Saturday afternoon. These strong winds are expected to continue through Saturday evening before decreasing after midnight.

Current wind chills are below zero degrees, and these conditions are projected to worsen Saturday night. According to the National Weather Service, Saturday night will be brutally cold, with a risk of frostbite and hypothermia occurring within minutes if individuals are exposed outside without adequate layers of clothing.

An Extreme Cold Warning is active for the entire area. This warning will remain in effect through noon on Sunday. Residents are advised to take precautions against the severe cold.

As of 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, utility companies reported the following power outage numbers:

JCP&L: 3,642 customers without power.
PSE&G: 1,548 customers were affected by outages.
Atlantic City Electric: 77 customers experiencing power loss.
Rockland: 41 customers without electricity.

Utility crews are working to restore power to affected areas. Residents should monitor local weather updates and follow safety guidelines during the extreme cold conditions.