6K Still Without Power In Gloucester Twp.; Charging Station Opens

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — About 6,000 people in Gloucester Township remained without power Thursday, one day after multiple storms tore through the region.

More than 29,000 PSEG customers in Camden County were without power, and another 1,378 Atlantic City Electric customers in the county were in the dark. More than 90,000 people statewide still didn't have power Thursday afternoon.

As of 4 p.m., 5,884 PSEG customers in Gloucester Township remained in the dark, and another 107 Atlantic City Electric customers were without power.

"The Board of Public Utilities continues to monitor the progress of our power companies to restore service, and the expectation is that many of these homes and businesses will be back online by later today," Gov. Phil Murphy said during a news conference Thursday. "I spoke with a friend in Mount Laurel, and she said she and her family actually ended up going in the basement. That’s the first time she can remember doing that in a long time or ever, so it was pretty nasty."

The Gloucester Township Police Community Relations Charging Station will be deployed Thursday morning and afternoon for those residents who remain without power.

Residents can bring their electronic devices and charging cords to these two locations:

• Glendora Fire Company Parking Lot, 8th Avenue at Black Horse Pike, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and
• Glen Landing Middle School, Little Gloucester Road, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Somerdale Road has reopened, but the Black Horse Pike by Lower Landing Road and Old Black Horse Pike are still closed due to down trees and wires, police said.

The Black Horse Pike heading north through Hilltop is backed up approximately 1/2 mile. Drivers should avoid this area and use an alternative route.

The traffic signal at Black Horse Pike and Church Street is still not working, and the intersection is being directed by an officer. Drivers should use caution.

Police remind residents to call 911 for emergencies only. For all other calls, use the Gloucester Township Police Department's non-emergency number at 856-228-4500.

PSEG has opened comfort stations in Audubon, Willingboro, and Lumberton as shown on the map. They will be open from noon to 5 p.m. providing water and ice. Upon arrival, drive up and open your trunk so PSEG employees can place water and ice in it. PSEG employees will follow all public health guidelines and industry best practices, including wearing face coverings and gloves.

Locations:

• 34 Municipal Drive Lumberton NJ 08048 (Burlington County)
• Kennedy Center 429 John F Kennedy Way, Willingboro NJ 08046 (Burlington County)
• 449 West Nicholson Road Audubon 08106 (Gloucester and Camden County)

A storm that has been classified as a derecho earlier Wednesday was followed by a storm that included both a tornado warning and a severe thunderstorm warning Wednesday night. More showers and thunderstorms were expected later Thursday and through Saturday. Here’s a look at the forecast for Gloucester Township through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service:

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then a chance of showers. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday
A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 5am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night
A slight chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 77.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60.