Jackson Mayor Mike Reina spoke to Lakewood Alerts following the National Weather Service’s confirmation that a tornado touched down in the township during yesterday severe storm.
“The damage is extremely widespread and our Office of Emergency Management is working hand-in-hand with Chaveirim to clear up debris and ensure that all residents have what they need,” Mayor Reina said.
Sources in the Jackson DPW have separately confirmed to Lakewood Alerts that they are relying heavily on Chaveirim for generators and other equipment, as well as manpower.
“Police are monitoring intersections and JCP&L crews are working around-the-clock to restore power to everyone,” he continued. “Unfortunately, due to the widespread nature of the damage, current estimates to fully restore power to all Jackson homes is now 6 pm on Monday evening.”
“One of the problem power crews are facing,” Mayor Reina noted, “is that some people have generators hooked up to their power lines. This cases electricity to backfeed into the wires which places linemen at extreme danger, so extra precautions have to be taken.”
As things stand now, it appears the tornado which touched down in Jackson was the same as the one suspected of having touched down on Aldrich Road in Howell a short time later. A single tornado can touch down in one area before lifting off the ground and then touching down again.
The National Weather Service will later release a report further detailing the tornado, including how powerful it was.
Sources tell Lakewood Alerts that initial data suggests the tornado was an EF-2 twister with maximum wind speeds of 130 mph.