Electrical service was out for some customers of First Energy Corp. — parent of JCP&L — in Fair Haven and Rumson this morning as temperatures were expected to crest at nearly 100 degrees.
As of 6:30a, First Energy’s online outage map indicated fewer than 500 homes without power, but doesn’t specify if that’s the total per town or collectively in the region.
Just minutes earlier, Red Bank and Locust were on the list of those locales without power.
There’s no immediate indication of whether the outages were weather-related.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for noon through 8p today, when temperatures are expected to peak at about 100.
This is from the Asbury Park Press, referring to scattered blackouts last night in Monmouth and Ocean counties:
Ron Morano, a JCP&L spokesman, would not speculate on whether heat or excessive power use was to blame. Temperatures approached 100 degrees in some locations, and the scorching heat is expected to continue this week, according to the National Weather Service.
Morano said that JCP&L has not been instructed by PJM, which manages the regional power grid, to ask customers to conserve energy.
But, he recommends customers employ “common-sense steps” to conserve energy to avoid potential power problems.
“Set your thermostat high, use fans around the house, close the blinds to keep out the sun and use major appliances over the evening hours instead of during the day,” Morano said.