Storm Knocks Out Power In 8.3K Berkeley Homes, Businesses

BERKELEY, NJ — Powerful thunderstorms have left 8,370 homes and businesses without power as of Thursday afternoon, according to Jersey Central Power & Light. The storm left about a third of Berkeley without power.

Berkeley's number of outages reduced to 475 at about 4 p.m., according to JCP&L. They estimate power will be restored in Berkeley by 6 p.m.

About 20,000 lost electricity in Ocean County. Nearly 850 homes in South Toms River and more than 1,400 in Beachwood were without electricity as a result as well.

The Ocean County Sheriff's Department issued a Nixle alert about the traffic signals on Route 37 to alert motorists.

Traffic lights on Route 37 went out, the Ocean County Sheriff's Department said at about 3:30 p.m. on Nixle. Use caution and expect delays.

Heavy flooding was reported on Barnegat roads. Use caution. Do not drive into standing water: Your car's electronics don't like water.

Ocean Township in Monmouth County is also having bad flooding.
Here is the forecast:

• Thursday afternoon: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a chance of showers. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

With reporting from Karen Wall/Patch

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