Traffic Lights Out As Power Outage Hits Toms River And Brick

Jersey Central Power & Light reported 557 customers in Toms River were without power Friday night, and 1,500 in Brick were also powerless.

Police confirmed the Route 9 corridor in Toms River was affected, with traffic lights at Cox Cro Road out. Toms River Police were on scene directing traffic in Pleasant Plains and North Dover.

The power outages come after a thunderstorm swept through Ocean County.

JCP&L released a statement urging safety: "JCP&L is experiencing power outages throughout our service area. Crews are working to restore power to all affected areas as quickly and safely as possible. If you have not yet reported your service as being out, please use the report an outage link or call 1-888-544-4877. If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency call 911. Remember to treat all downed wires as live and dangerous."

For Toms River, the National Weather Service says thunderstorms were possible through 9 p.m. "Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9 p.m.. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms."