All Water, Electricity Restored After Major Water Main Break In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — There was a major water main break Tuesday evening in Middletown, at the intersection of East Road and Leonardville Road in the Campbell’s Junction neighborhood.

The water main ruptured shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, sending a jet of water streaming into the air and pouring into the street. New Jersey American Water and Middletown Twp. Police, Fire and DPW crews immediately responded and had to shut off water to homes and businesses in the area. A daycare in that immediate area, Kinder Care, had to be evacuated, as there were children and staff inside.

Also, JCP&L had to turn off electric power to approximately 200 homes in that area Tuesday night.

As of 10 a.m. Wednesday morning, all water has been restored to homes in the area. Electric power was also restored Tuesday evening. However, that intersection remains closed and will remain closed for the remainder of the morning as Township crews clean up the remaining water and make sure no ice has formed on the roadway, said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, who was on the scene of the main break Tuesday night.

Middletown opened a warming station Tuesday night at the public library (55 New Monmouth Road) so residents who lost water and electric power had someplace to go and keep warm. If you lost power and need access to the warming station, please call the Middletown Township Police Department at 732-615-2100.

Aging water mains have broken in Middletown in the past, specifically in the River Plaza section of town, which has some of the oldest infrastructure.

The road closure in effect Wednesday morning is: East Road (from Park Avenue) and Leonardville Road (between Waterview Drive and Hopping Road).