Transformer Fire Reported Thursday On Howell’s West Farms Road

HOWELL, NJ - Amid a tornado and thunderstorm warning yesterday, a transformer fire left some Howell households without power, authorities said.

In a Facebook post, the Howell Township Police Department noted that a transformer caught fire around Thursday afternoon in the area around West Farms Road, Casino Drive and Rt. 524.

As of 4 p.m., the local fire department was on the scene.

West Farms Road was closed Thursday evening for several hours while utility crews executed repair work.

On Thursday evening, a tornado warning was issued for Mercer, Ocean, Monmouth and Burlington counties, as well as a thunderstorm warning issued earlier that day. Around 5 p.m., a severe thunderstorm "capable of producing a tornado" was reported near Trenton moving at about 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

As of 10 a.m. on Friday, only 22 households in Monmouth County - mostly in Atlantic Highlands, Freehold, Millstone, Neptune City and Ocean Township - were still left without power as a result of the storm.

The National Weather Service warns residents that flooding may still be a risk in parts of the state, especially as Friday and Saturday is expected to bring additional rainfall to already-wet areas. Read more: NJ Weather Forecast: Storms Likely For Independence Day Weekend