High Winds Leave Over 6,000 Without Power in Morris County

As a Wind Advisory sweeps through New Jersey on December 19, more than 16,000 JCP&L customers statewide are affected, with Roxbury Township experiencing the highest concentration of outages locally.

More than 6,000 Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) customers in Morris County are without power today, December 19, as high winds batter the region. A Wind Advisory remains in effect across much of New Jersey, contributing to widespread electrical disruptions affecting over 16,000 customers across the state.

According to the latest data released by JCP&L, several Morris County municipalities are reporting varying levels of outages. The most significant impact is in Roxbury Township, where 2,434 of the township’s 10,257 customers—nearly 24%—are without power. This marks the highest outage rate in the county.

Washington Township has also been notably affected, with 573 out of 7,053 customers experiencing outages, representing approximately 8.12% of its service base.

Other municipalities in the area are experiencing minimal disruptions. Rockaway Township has 2 customers without service out of 11,516, and Wharton Borough reports just 1 customer affected among 3,158. Victory Gardens Borough has not reported any outages.

The power outages are linked to ongoing high winds that have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Wind Advisory, cautioning residents about gusts that could reach 50 miles per hour. These conditions pose a risk to trees, power lines, and utility infrastructure, increasing the likelihood of localized power disruptions.

JCP&L crews are actively working to assess damage and restore power as conditions allow. Residents are advised to report outages and avoid downed wires, which should always be treated as live and dangerous.

The Wind Advisory is expected to remain in effect through the evening, and utility officials recommend that residents prepare for the possibility of extended outages by charging devices, checking emergency supplies, and staying updated through official channels.

Morris County has historically been vulnerable to wind-related outages, particularly during seasonal storm systems. JCP&L has previously invested in grid modernization and vegetation management programs, but severe weather continues to pose challenges to uninterrupted service.

As weather conditions evolve, additional updates from utility and emergency management officials are expected.