'This May Be Multiple Days:' Storm Winds Hammer Howell

HOWELL, NJ — Emergency crews were working through the night to try to restore power after strong winds tore down trees and power lines and wreaked havoc Monday night in Howell.

But those restoration efforts could take some time, Howell Township police said in a post on Facebook. More than 18,000 homes and businesses remained without electric service as of 12:30 a.m., according to Jersey Central Power & Light.

"DO NOT expect power to be restored for an extended period of time." the police department said. "This may be multiple days."

JCP&L, in a message on its Facebook page, said the storms included "straight-line winds and likely downbursts and microbursts" with confirmed widespread wind speeds of 60 to 70 mph across Monmouth County.

"The damage is significant," JCP&L said. Its crews were clearing hazards and making areas safe overnight and the company said it would "share estimated restoration times as soon as we have them. Additional crews will be assisting with restoration efforts."

Police said the strong winds left nearly all of the township without power, and took down trees that blocked roads partially or fully and left traffic signals inoperable. A number of trees came down on homes and vehicles.

"This is no time to be on roadways without a justifiable reason," police said. "It is dangerous. DO NOT venture out to go sightseeing. Don’t make other people’s misfortune be your entertainment."

The storm knocked out power to all of Farmingdale and more than 18,000 out of 21,000 homes and businesses in Howell. More than 136,000 homes and businesses in Monmouth County were without power at the peak of the outages, JCP&L said.

Anyone who has not reported an outage due to the weather should do so. Call 888-544-4877; text OUT to 544487; or if you have a computer with power, spr.ly/report.

"Assume ANY downed wire is energized & dangerous! Report ASAP: 888-544-4877," JCP&L said.

Residents posting on the Howell Happenings NJ Facebook page reported downed trees all over town, in some cases coming down on vehicles. One resident said the wind lifted a trampoline and deposited it into her neighbor's yard.

The Howell Girls Softball League posted photos of the visitors' dugout at Howell High School, showing the roof ripped off and concrete blocks on the ground.

Updated with additional information on damage and JCP&L comment.

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