Thunderstorm Causes 1,700 Power Outages, Including Route 35 Traffic Light

Flashes of lightning shot across the sky and cracks of thunder rattled windows as a powerful storm passed over Matawan and Aberdeen.

Although the worst has now passed, 1,688 in Aberdeen and 14 in Matawan were without power, according to the JCP&L website. Power has since been restored to the majority of homes.

The storm also knocked out power to traffic lights along Route 35 in Aberdeen, according to Chief of Police John Powers. Except for the traffic lights at the intersection of Route 35 and Amboy, power was quickly restored.

As of about 7:15 p.m., police were awaiting a Department of Transportation unit to respond to the scene to make necessary repairs, Powers said. It is expected that power to the traffic light will be restored shortly.

Brief but heavy rain also flooded the right hand lane of Route 35 south in Aberdeen between Cliffwood Avenue and County Road.

Neighboring municipalities are also feeling the affects of the storm, including about 600 people without power in .