Nearly 6K Still Without Power In Bernards

BASKING RIDGE, NJ—Nearly 6,000 customers in Bernards Township were still without power Thursday afternoon, and Jersey Central Power & Light said it could be days before service is restored.

"JCP&L has established a Global Estimated Time of Restoration of 11 p.m., Tuesday, August 11," the utility said, in a statement. "This means 95 percent of the customers currently out of power will have their power restored by that time."

The utility supplies electricity to a large part of northern and central New Jersey. More than 1,800 technicians, line workers, damage assessors, and support personnel from outside the affected area are helping to restore power service.

With temperatures expected to reach 88 degrees, JCP&L customers who are without power for 24 hours can pick up free water and ice at the Bernardsville, Bedminster, or Warren Kings locations or the Bernardsville, Branchburg, Somerville, or Bedminster Shop Rite stores.

To assist in the cleanup, Pill Hill Recycling Center will be open on Thursday August 6, Friday August 7, and Sunday August 9 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Township residents can dispose of vegetative waste and brush only during the additional hours.

More than 5,700 customers were still without power in Bernards Township on Wednesday night and police said several streets remained closed because of downed wires or trees. South Finley Avenue near Ridge High School to Homestead Road is still closed, but Lyons Road at Linden Drive is now open. Other road closings are:

-Madisonville Roadd to the Harding Line

- Deer Ridge Road

- Culberson Road between Spencer Road & South Alward Avenue

- Childs Road

- Liberty Corner Road

- Cross Road

- Haas Road near Pond Hill Road

- Ellis Drive

- Bullion Road

- Lexington Road

-Forest Trail