NJ Nor'easter Turns Deadly As Downed Wires, Trees Pose Danger

The brutal nor'easter now has become deadly after it left a lot of damage in its path on Wednesday and early Thursday, with more than 2 feet of snow falling in some spots. Communities throughout New Jersey warned people about the danger of live wires in their streets (see below).

One person died Thursday after a car caught fire when it hit a live wire on Summit Avenue in Franklin Lakes, police announced. The driver reportedly tried to get around the wire, but didn't succeed.

The tragedy came just days after an Andover man died when he was shocked by downed power lines following Friday's nor'easter, police said.

The danger of the storm's after-effects even prompted one town to warn people to not take children outside. "There are too many dangerous situations in town," Verona officials said in an alert.

The dangers prompted schools to already cancel for Friday. Read more: New Jersey School Closings/Delays List For Friday

A countless number downed trees and wires were reported throughout New Jersey and more than 200,000 were still without power on Thursday. Some towns virtually shut down because of road conditions and downed wires.

Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday ordered an investigation into the power companies' controversial responses to the back-to-back nor'easters this past week. Read more: Gov. Murphy Orders Probe Of Power Companies After 2 Nor'easters

Surfaces and ice continue to cause a number of problems and accidents on New Jersey highways and roads(see list of road problems below).

State Police officers have responded to 506 motor vehicle crashes and 939 motorist aids since midnight Tuesday. Aids can be anything from mechanical breakdowns, spin outs, flat tires, etc.

Here are many of the problems and potential dangers around the state:

• Verona: "We do not recommend outdoor activities, especially with children. There are too many dangerous situations in town."
• Ocean City: Ocean City saw 3.5 inches of snow and flooding throughout the island during a storm that has been described by some as "unprecedented."

• Cranford: Video by a Cranford local who captured a power line exploding. "Hazardous conditions continue. Heavy snow is expected for several more hours. Stay off of the roads. Allow emergency services and DPW to clear the roadways. Heavy Snow will continue to cause trees and wires to fall. Stay indoors if possible. Do not approach downed wires, instead contact the Cranford Police Department at (908) 272-2222 immediately."

• Hillsdale: Hundreds of people are without power following the late-season nor'easter that swept across North Jersey Wednesday. Mayor John Ruocco said that "entire neighborhoods" are without power due to several tree limbs and power lines that are down throughout town.
• Newark: The city wasn't spared the wrath of Wednesday's storm, with a large power outage touching the city's South Ward and temporarily knocking out electricity to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
• Mountainside: A Mountainside man was hospitalized after a tree limb fell on him while he was using a snow blower on Wednesday night, police report.
• Parsippany: Some roads are closed and others remain impassible in Parsippany in the wake of Wednesdays snow storm. As of 8:12 a.m. on Thursday, East Halsey Road between Parsippany Road and Jefferson Road is closed, as is Park Road. A number of side roads are also closed.
• Caldwell: "Please do not park on the roads as our DPW are still working to clear all of them and many of the streets are narrow as a result of the snow, downed trees/branches and utility lines. We remind everyone to never touch a downed utility line and please shovel out the fire hydrants near you. If you are going to use a generator please make sure it is a safe distance from your home. Thank you and stay safe."
• North Caldwell: "Please be aware that the storm has taken down multiple trees, limbs and power lines causing road closures and power outages throughout the Borough. We are asking all residents to stay in their homes and not to travel unless it is an absolute emergency. DO NOT go near or touch any downed wires. Please call 911 for emergencies only!"
• Mount Laurel: From Steve Keeley @KeeleyFox29: "Mt Laurel, Burlington County one of the hardest hit Philly suburbs. Power out here right around @mtlaurelpd & Twp Municipal building. Traffic lights out here on Mt Laurel Road. Schools here closed today, wires are down all over Twp& most houses completely dark."
• Morristown: "Multiple streets are impassable at this time due to trees and power lines being down. Travel will be difficulty as clean up continues. Heavy traffic and delays should be expected throughout town during the morning hours. It is strongly suggested downtown be avoided to facilitate clean up operations."
• Piscataway: "Large number of streets are blocked due to down wires and trees. Extensive cleanup operation is ongoing. We ask for your patience as public works crews and police work through the overnight hours. Contact @PSEGdelivers directly to report outages."
• Bridgewater: Many roads remain closed and impassable due to trees or wires across the roadway in Bridgewater Thursday morning.
• Montclair: "Montclair Community Services crews work around the clock to clear snow from our streets. Residents and business owners are reminded not to undo all this hard work by depositing snow from your property or sidewalks into the street. Not only does this hinder township efforts to keep roadways cleared, it is illegal. Snow blowing and shoveling snow from walkways, driveways and sidewalks into the streets, plowing driveways into the streets, cleaning snow off of vehicles into the street is prohibited per township ordinance 297-33. Please make sure your contractors are aware of the law when they clear snow from your property."
• Middlesex County: From Janet Dickerson @TheRealPRLady: "Up at 4 a.m. due to being ousted from our home last night bc of massive outages and storm damage. Just my luck to find a hotel w/ power but no WiFi. So, boredom of course."
• Livingston: "Please get off the roads and do not go out the roads are horrible cars are stuck all over trees are down all over please stay home."
• South Brunswick: Thousands of residents will go to bed without power on a cold, windy night and trees and telephone poles are down all over the Township. That's not to mention the dozens of accidents that have occurred on South Brunswick roadways. Rt. 1, Rt. 27 and Rt. 522 are impassable due to fallen trees.
• Millburn: "The Township experienced a significant snow event yesterday afternoon and evening. There are numerous downed trees, power lines and road closures throughout the Township due to the weight of the snow fall. There are approximately 3,700 customers without power in the Township and we are awaiting response from JCP&L to make safe numerous live wires that have been felled by the storm."
• Morris County: "At this time we cannot predict any additional impact this storm may have on electric service or ongoing restoration efforts, but significant snow accumulations will create additional outages and slow our work. Customers who have been out the longest are our top priority, and any new outages will be restored based on our storm process," JCP&L officials said. "We know this is extremely difficult, and we thank you all for your fortitude and support of our crews."
• Newark: "There are trees and electric wires down all over Newark. They are blocking our ability to plow those streets and creating an extremely dangerous condition."
• Jersey City: "We do our best to give residents a snapshot in time on how this works. At 7:55pm We’re plowing w/65 plows, JCFD responding to 87 wires down Citywide, 9 active EMS calls, 6 alarm activations, 2 responses for fire or smoke, 14 police calls in cue - will be a long night."
• Boonton: "Stay off roads if at all possible!!! Residents/Motorists should never go near a downed wire even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be used in areas where downed lines are tangled in trees or other debris."
• Verona: "There are numerous trees and wires down all over town. Roads are impassable. Stay away from wires! Stay indoors!"
• Mahwah: Please stay off the roads. The weight of this snow has caused many downed trees and power lines. This has made some roads impassable. We will work throughout the night and into tomorrow to recover from this extraordinary nor'easter.
• Bergen County: Traffic and power problems mounted in Bergen County and roads are becoming dangerous for local residents as the snow piles up in North Jersey.
• Essex County: Several towns reporting issues with treacherous roads, downed power lines and other transportation woes. Forecasters say since the snow is heavy and wet, it could cause widespread power outages, just days after Friday's storm knocked out electricity for thousands across the state.
• Madison: "For your safety STAY INSIDE, there are numerous live power lines down. Wait until morning to shovel your driveway."

Here are the areas impacted by power outages:

JCP&L:

PSEG:

Atlantic Electric:

Here is what else you need to know:

• Some scoffed at the early predictions of 2 feet of snow. But many towns matched that, and more. Read more here: New Jersey Snow Totals, Town-By-Town - 3/8/18
• More than people were without power as Jersey Central Power & Light promised to work to restore electricity as soon as roads were clear of snow and downed wires. JCP&L said it had to essentially drop restoration work that followed the destructive Friday nor'easter.
  
• The National Weather Service is reporting "thunder snow" along the New Jersey Turnpike in Central and South Jersey. Others caught video of it. Read more: VIDEO: Thundersnow In Point Pleasant Beach (And Lightning)

• Beach erosion and potential flooding was already becoming an increasing possibility, as shown by a Twitter video of Ortley Beach (see below)

• More than 25,000 people are still without power following the Friday nor'easter that downed trees and power lines. The State Police urged residents to be prepared. JCP&L, however, said it had to essentially drop recovery efforts to deal with the Wednesday nor'easter.
• "We understand that many of you are still without power, using generators to get by. Meteorologists expect this March snow to be heavy and wet, which could cause branches to fall, taking out power lines and causing additional power outages," according to the State Police. "Please plan accordingly now before the snow begins. As far as using generators, please make sure you use caution."

Here are the road conditions across New Jersey:

• NJ 28: Downed tree and downed wires on NJ 28 in both directions east of Scotch Plains Av in Westfield. All lanes closed.
• NJ 28: Downed pole on NJ 28 in both directions area of CR 632/Walnut Av in Garwood. All lanes closed and detoured.
• NJ 23: Downed wires on NJ 23 in both directions in area of south of CR 660/Newark Pompton Turnpike in Pequannock Twp. Jughandle closed.
• US 46: Downed wires on US 46 in both directions west of NJ 159/Boomfield Av in Montville Twp. Jughandle closed.

South Brunswick police photo