Power outages reported across Morris County

Power outages were reported across Morris County Sunday as strong winds brought down trees and power lines.

Jeffrey S. Paul, director of the Morris County Office of Emergency Management, said 19,000 Morris County customers were without power at about 11 a.m.

“Things have been extremely busy for our Morris County 911/Communications Center, Municipal Dispatch Centers, First Responders across all disciplines, Shade Tree and DPWs throughout Morris County,” Paul said.

More than 20 locations across the county reported power outages though the number of customers without power in connection with each outage was small, according to JCP&L’s outage map.

The National Weather Service had issued a high wind warning for the state, forecasting that gusts could reach as high as 60 m.p.h. Because some trees were already flowering of leafing, they were more susceptible to being damaged by the wind, the Weather Service said.

Hanover Township cancelled all outdoor activities because of the wind.

Paul said his office was in communiction with JCP&L to review critical infrastructure needs as well as those of special needs clients.

Police, firefighters and rescue workers were particularly busy on Sunday. The staff at the Morris County Communications Center handled 2,218 calls from midnight to 2 p.m., Paul said.

Approximately 459 of those calls were to notify JCP&L about downed trees, wires and other electrical and storm related issues. Of the other calls, 757 involved police, 26 were for emergency medical services and 44 were for fire departments.