Storm Recovery Update In Howell

HOWELL, NJ — Township public works employees stepped in, along with JCP&L, to help the township recover from last Friday's powerful afternoon storm.

Public works employees removed between five to 10 downed trees to open roadways that were blocked by them, Victor Cook, coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management, said Monday.

"JCP&L worked feverishly throughout the weekend to restore power to most residents that were affected," he said.

The last few outages were "cleaned up" by Sunday, JCP&L spokesman Chris Hoenig said on Monday.

"DPW did an amazing job," said Township Manager Joseph Clark.

"Not only did they clear five to 10 fallen trees, but it was also innumerable branches and other wind-blown hazardous material."

Clark said JCP&L worked "nonstop to keep us updated and to restore power as quickly as possible, and we thank them."

Howell, especially north of I-195, was one of the hardest hit areas from the Friday afternoon thunderstorm in Central Jersey, area officials said.

There was rain, hail, flooding and many trees down. Jersey Central Power & Light reported outages affecting 2,085 customers Friday.

Friday night, Department of Public Works crews were on duty to remove trees and help clear the township roads. Police Department officers were stationed in dangerous areas.

Hoenig said Friday there were multiple trees and wires down throughout town.

Hoenig said that, overall in Central Jersey, there were about 5,000 customers without power because of the Friday storm.

Wednesday is the next day when thunderstorms are predicted in this area, according to the National Weather Service.