2,900 Without Power As Manchester Snow Cleanup Continues

MANCHESTER, NJ — Nearly 2,900 homes and businesses were without electricity on Thursday morning following a nor'easter that dumped more than a foot of snow on the township.

Manchester Township officials said a warming center has been opened at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company on Ridgeway Road across from Ridgeway Elementary School for people affected by the power outages, many of which are concentrated on the east side of the township.

The National Weather Service snowfall tallies said Whiting received 12.5 inches of snow.

"Residents without heat or electric are encouraged to go there," Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said in a news release Thursday morning. "The warming station is fully staffed with volunteers and coffee, water and donuts are available."

JCP&L said line and forestry crews are working with crews from other FirstEnergy Utility Companies, out-of-state mutual assistance crews and contractor crews to restore customers to service as safely and quickly as possible. Additional resources are also being deployed to the affected areas from northern New Jersey.

If you are without electricity, call JCP&L at 888-544-4877 or text OUT to 544487 to report your outage.

That area of Ocean County was particularly hard-hit; more than 6,200 homes in neighboring Jackson and another 1,300 in Lakewood were without power as of 10 a.m., according to Jersey Central Power & Light. More than 20,000 were without electric across Ocean County, some since 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. The company has not given an estimate of when power would be restored.

Malland said the police department responded to multiple reports of low-hanging or downed power lines and have closed roads where they are creating a hazard. On the 1300 block of Broadway Boulevard in Pine Lake Park, the force of the downed power lines pulled the front façade off a home, he said. No one was injured.

Malland said officials are hopeful the spring-time sun angle and expected warm daytime temperatures will help to quickly melt the heavy, wet snow on tree limbs and power lines, but residents are urged to be cautious and pay close attention to snow on power lines, tree limbs, and especially on roof tops, as rapid melting may cause large amounts of snow to break free and drop unexpectedly.

"We encourage everyone to be cognizant of their surroundings when outdoors," he said.

He said police also were reminding residents to stay away from downed power lines.

"For safety’s sake, always assume that a fallen power line is live, and follow these guidelines:

• Avoid touching the downed line with your hand or an object, such as a stick,
• broom or pole.
• Avoid touching anything, such as a car, object or equipment, or anyone who is in
• contact with a fallen power line.
• Keep children and pets away from fallen electric lines.
• Avoid driving over a fallen power line.
• Call the police department immediately to report a fallen power line.

If your vehicle comes in contact with a downed power line:

• Stay inside your car. The ground around your car may be energized.
• Sound the horn, roll down your window and call for help.
• Warn others to stay away. Anyone who touches the equipment or ground around
• your car can be injured.
• Use your mobile phone to call 911.
• Wait until the fire department, police or JCP&L workers tell you it’s safe to get out
• of your car before exiting the vehicle.

Officials said the following services are closed or canceled Thursday:

• All Manchester Township municipal offices are closed.
• The Manchester Township Board of Adjustment meeting set for Thursday, March 22, is canceled.
• The Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River is on a delayed opening at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
• All branches of the Ocean County Library are closed Thursday.
• Ocean County College is closed.

Heavy snow pulled down power lines and pulled the facade off the front of a home on Broadway Boulevard in Manchester. Photo by Manchester Township Police