Power Outages Linger As Severe Storms Deluge Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — More than 4,800 homes and businesses in Manchester and Lakehurst remained without power Thursday evening in the wake of severe thunderstorms that pushed through New Jersey.

The storms brought intense lightning and heavy rain, with Manchester and neighboring Pemberton in Burlington County receiving more than 5 inches of rain. Social media posts showed flooded streets throughout Pine Lake Park and along Route 530 in the Whiting section.

A gauge at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst recorded 5.04 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Lightning struck a transformer between two homes in Lakehurst, Patch reporter Veronica Flesher said.

There was a tree reported down on a house in the Roosevelt section of the township, but no immediate word Thursday night on the extent of the damage or any injuries.

Jersey Central Power & Light did not have an estimate of when electric service would be restored, and Manchester police urged residents to stop calling 911 for power updates.

"JCPL is working on several power outages in the area," the police department said in an alert. "There is no estimated time of restoration. Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies."

New Jersey remained under a state of emergency through 6 a.m. Friday because of the potential for flash flooding, state officials said.