Heavy Rains, Lightning Create Havoc into Morning with Flooding and More

The crack of lightning and curtains of rain continued to draw an emergency response Tuesday morning, with flooding reported and power outages in Toms River.

A storm that rolled in around 11 p.m. drenched Toms River through 8 a.m. Tuesday. At 12:30 a.m., traffic lights on Brick Boulevard between Beaverson and Drum Point Road were malfunctioning, while Toms River fire companies were activated for reports of structures being struck by lightning.

Soon thereafter, reports of flooding came in, and poor conditions remain in some places throughout the township.

A Holly Village Lane resident reported massive flooding of the street, off Adams Avenue, seeing "Homes flooded, road impassable," there at 8 a.m.

Route 37 near Coolidge was flooded as traffic safety officers were dispatched to direct traffic from flooded lanes. The lanes have since reopened.

Jersey Central Power & Light was reporting about 300 without power in Toms River at 1 a.m., with about 450 without power in Brick Township. Silverton residents reported the area of 13th Street was without power. By 9 a.m., fewer than 5 customers were in the dark, according to the utility.

The storm was one of many that this summer turned roadways into giant puddles and worse. Eight days prior another storm flooded streets for more than an hour.

Aug. 27, Toms River Police responded to numerous flooding conditions due to the heavy rains. Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said  numerous cars  became disabled and traffic had to be detoured during the storm.  Then, the areas effected most were Vaughn Avenue between Windsor and Adams, Route 37 and Garfield, the Hazelwood Road corridor, and Washington Avenue in Ortley Beach.

The National Weather Service forecast includes additional rain throughout Tuesday.