1,233 Middletown Homes, 2 Schools Lose Electric Power Tuesday

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — *Update: The power has since been restored to the heart of Middletown, and to both Middletown schools. If you want to talk about what your child experienced losing power on the first day of school, and whether classes were held in the dark, please email me: carly.baldwin@patch.com

As of 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, JCP&L crews are still on site making repairs; a partial restoration was completed at 12:24 p.m., said the electric company. Final restoration was completed at 4:02 p.m.

Electricity was out at the two Middletown schools, Bayshore Middle and Leonardo Elementary, for more than two hours Tuesday, confirmed Mayor Perry. This was the first day back for Middletown students. He said both buildings are very old and do not have generators.

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Approximately 1,233 homes and two schools in the heart of Middletown Township lost electricity as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to Middletown Mayor Tony Perry. Unrelated, an additional 100 homes are currently in the dark in Aberdeen. Many local businesses also lost power, including the Rt. 35 Costco in Hazlet, which is reportedly turning customers away at the door.

Two schools lost power, on what just happened to be Middletown's first day back for all students: Both Bayshore Middle School and Leonardo Elementary School have been without power for the past hour now, said Township spokesman Tony Mercantante at 11:25 a.m.

"I just heard from the Fire Marshall that JCP&L just spoke to him and estimated about 90 more minutes or less and the power will be restored," said Mercantante at 11:30 a.m.

"Please be advised that the district is currently experiencing power outages at the following sites: Bayshore Middle School Leonardo Elementary School," said the Middletown school district on its website. "Classes are still in session and we are working with JCP&L to resolve this issue. Updates will be made available as soon as possible."

The lights went out because because a feeder line on Kings Highway East came down, said Perry. The wire is currently down either on or near the roadway along Kings Highway East, said JCP&L spokesman Chris Hoenig.

It is not immediately clear what cause the line to come down, but Middletown did have off and on heavy rain Tuesday morning.

JCP&L's outage map showed up to 1,500 customers without power along Kings Highway East, in the very heart of Middletown. Some homes also lost power by High School North. There are another 100 homes out in the Strathmore section of Aberdeen, and pockets out in Belford and North Middletown.