Power Outage Affects 5K Toms River Customers

Power outages continue past 1 p.m. in Toms River, where according to JCP&L's reported outages map, there are more than 5,600 customers affected in town.

Only a few homes outside of Toms River have reported power outages, according to the JCP&L power outage map for Ocean County, as heavy rains and reported hail pelt the area late morning into the afternoon.

A total 5,680 customers are without power in Ocean County, with nearly all customer-reported outages in Toms River, according to JCP&L.

The power utility maintains a power outage map here.

A fire on a utility pole on Route 9 at Bamberry Lane knocked out power to about 1,000 homes in the area for a couple of hours on Saturday morning, and caused traffic delays along Route 9 between Whitty Road and Route 571, police said.

Ron Morano, a spokesman for Jersey Central Power & Light, said 800 of the customers had service back by 10 a.m. and the remainder were restored by 11:30 a.m.

Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said Route 9 was mostly open again by 1:30 p.m., with a limited slowdown and closure around Bamberry.

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory, wind advisory and hazardous weather outlook for Toms River and elsewhere for today.

According to the National Weather Service:

• A coastal flood advisory is in effect for eastern Ocean County through 2 p.m.
• A wind advisory is in effect for east Ocean County through midnight. Winds are predicted to be 20 to 30 mph north to northeast.
• Waterfront property may experience flooding as high tide makes its way to shoreline areas. Morning high tide at Seaside Heights was 7.3 feet above mean lower low water mark.
• Afternoon: The rain could be heavy at times. High near 46. Windy, with a northeast wind around 28 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Tonight: Rain before 11pm, then rain and snow likely. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 36. Windy, with a north wind between 25 and 29 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 48. Breezy, with a northwest wind between 18 and 21 mph.