Community Corner

STORM DAMAGE: Flooding Reports, Power Outages and Lightning Strikes Homes

National Weather Service flash flood warning in place through 4:15 p.m.

Updated 6 p.m. with information from Toms River Fire District 2.

A violent summer thunderstorm pelted Toms River with hail and heavy rains while flooding was reported along such roads as Church and Kettle Creek Roads. More than 1,300 Toms River customers were without power at 2 p.m. At 6 p.m., more than 500 remained without power.

At least five homes were struck by lightning, and many of the usual flood prone areas of the township saw the afternoon's heavy rains make a mess of traffic.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Toms River Fire District 2 President Bob Sinnott said Pleasant Plains and Silverton fire companies responded to both lightning and flooding issues.

A pole was struck by lightning and caught fire at Cox Cro Road and Route 9, Sinnott said. Primary electric lines fell onto Route 9 as a result.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A Chadwick Drive home in Gilford Park was struck by lightning, creating electric problems. Two Greenwood Drive homes and two Brightwood Drive home were also struck.

On Green Island Road, one tree fell over knocking down the wires to the house from the pole causing electrical problem inside the residence, Sinnott said.

Along Church Road, water had flooded the shoulders and partially the driving lanes of the road, which has one lane of traffic in each direction. With the flooding, vehicles were pushed toward the center line to avoid the waters.

JCP&L was reporting at 2 p.m. that 1,328 Toms River customers are without power.

According to the utility company, crews are working to restore power to all affected areas as quickly and safely as possible. Power outages can be reported to the utility at 1-888-544-4877.

At noon, when the storm arrived, 52 customers in Toms River were reportedly without power, according to JCP&L.

Toms River District 1 is also responding to multiple calls of flooding on the township portions of the barrier island, said Fire Company 1 Chief John Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said the calls were not distress calls but were responding to widespread flooding as a result of the storm.

The flash flood warning from the National Weather Service is forecast through 4:15 p.m. today for Eastern Ocean County.

The evening forecast for Toms River:

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1 a.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 68. Northwest wind between 5 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. North wind around 7 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North wind between 3 and 6 mph.


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