WEATHER ALERT: 5,000 Without Power As 'Damaging' Storm Soaks N.J.

More than 5,000 people lose power Tuesday as New Jersey continues to deal with a soaking rain that has knocked over utility poles an downed wires.

As many as three inches are expected to fall in the state as much of the state deals with weather warnings, such as a flood watch for much of North Jersey.

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the whole state, with gusty winds expected and heavy rainfall causing localized flooding.

The worst-hit counties (with their number of power outages) are:

• Bergen 1,820
• Middlesex 1,081
• Salem 1,058
• Morris 841
• Essex 806
• Monmouth 310

A cold front has slid to the East Coast, and weather.com said locals should expect numerous showers and thunderstorms from New England into the Mid-Atlantic states and parts of the Southeast.

Some of those thunderstorms may pulse up to severe levels and produce localized damaging wind gusts, and bursts of heavy rainfall (see photo) could also lead to some localized flash flooding, particularly in urban areas, according to weather.com.

Here is how the weather impacted the roads, according to police and the state Department of Transportation:

• A traffic light was out at Route 27 and New Road Thursday morning.
• A tree fell at Route 36 southbound north of Grand Avenue in Atlantic Highlands. All lanes were closed, with a 5-10 minute delay.
• An accident occurred on U.S. 1&9/Tonnelle Avenue in both directions at Manhattan Avenue in Jersey City. All lanes were closed and detoured, with a 5-10 minute delay.
• A pole fell at US 1&9/Tonnelle Avenue at County Avenue in Jersey City. All lanes were closed and detoured
• An accident occurred at Atlantic City-Brigantine Connector southbound north of Bacharach Boulevard/Convention Center in Atlantic City. Right lane was closed in the tunnel.
• An accident occurred on I-76 westbound west of Exit 1B - I-295 in Gloucester City. Right shoulder was closed, with a 5-10 minute delay.