Jersey Central Power & Light leads regional outage response after severe storms

On Friday night, a line of powerful thunderstorms swept through the mid‑Atlantic, hitting eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Winds topped 70 mph, toppling trees, snapping poles, and damaging lines, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity.

In Pennsylvania, PPL Electric Utilities restored power to more than 116,700 customers and continues multi‑day repairs. In New Jersey, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) reported about 200,000 customers initially lost power, with roughly 121,000 still off after the storm; PSE&G also saw widespread outages. Connecticut’s Eversource said several hundred customers remained without service, with full restoration expected to take several days.

Utilities mobilized thousands of crews, mutual‑aid assistance from neighboring states and Canada, and employed smart‑meter “ping” technology to locate outages. They urged customers to report outages via text or phone. NJ Transit service was suspended on multiple lines, and a building collapse in Jersey City prompted emergency response.

Restoration efforts prioritize safety, clearing debris, and restoring critical facilities; free ice and water were offered to affected residents. Officials warned of possible additional storms and highlighted ongoing communication challenges.