Thousands In NJ Still Without Power Following Weekend Storm

By Dan Wing

MAYS LANDING, N.J. (CBS) - A little under 80,000 customers are still without power in southern New Jersey as the state continues its cleanup following the violent, windy storms that ravaged the state Friday night into Saturday morning.

Slowly but surely, the lights are coming back on after more than 200,000 customers were without power Saturday morning. The quick turnaround is thanks to the efforts of AC Electric restoration crews, and crews sent in from nine other utility companies including PSE&G.

Gary Bennet, a crew supervisor with PSE&G, was sent to help Sunday, and he says his crew is helping to set things up so AC Electric can fire up the electricity.

They are, "installing a lot of new poles to replace broken poles and putting up primary wire, secondary wire, services to the home," according to Bennet.

But still, it looks like it could be Wednesday before most people see the power come back on. With that in mind, Atlantic County Public Information Officer Linda Gilmore says a water and ice distribution center will be open at the Hamilton Mall in Mays landing.

"Residents will receive a 40lb bag of ice and one case of water, which includes 24 bottles. And that will be given per car."

The Water and Ice Distribution Center will be open from 8am to 8pm Tuesday.