A large-scale power outage that forced some residents to take refuge at Manchester Township High School overnight on Monday remains under investigation, officials said Tuesday. The malfunction, which impacted five circuits at a Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) substation on Station Road, left more than 5,200 customers in the Whiting section without electricity.
Crews with JCP&L continue to work on repairs Tuesday. While the precise cause of the outage is not yet known, JCP&L dismissed rumors circulating about a possible drone incident causing the outage.
JCP&L is asking customers in the affected area to conserve power until the substation repairs are complete.
The outage followed a bout of frigid weather, with temperatures dipping into the low teens Sunday night and hovering in the 20s throughout Monday. That left many electric-heated homes—including those in senior communities—without warmth.
In response to the dropping temperatures, Manchester officials opened warming centers, eventually transitioning to an overnight shelter at Manchester Township High School. The Red Cross staffed the shelter, providing food, beds, and accommodations for pets.
Manchester police officers and school district transportation department drivers helped transport residents who could not drive to the shelter. Although an exact number of overnight guests was not provided, police said all individuals were safely returned to their homes Tuesday.
The power outage also disrupted multiple traffic lights in the township. Police officers were stationed at intersections to direct traffic until the signals were restored.
“This incident represented a large-scale, multi-agency response where every organization worked hand-in-hand with one another and the community to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected residents,” the police department said in a statement. “From providing vital updates to transporting residents to warming centers, everyone involved worked tirelessly to meet the needs of the community during this challenging time.”
I, for one, want to say a big THANK YOU to all the first responders, the Red Cross and volunteers who gave their time and efforts to help during this difficult time. The volunteers who were in charge of the pets did a fantastic job and went the extra mile taking care of my dog; she was so stressed she started having breathing problems so they called a veterinarian for guidance in how to treat her. Thank you all!!!
I feel sorry for all of the people that were affected by this. Not only did they lose the ability to heat their homes but their refrigerators also went out and I’m sure a lot of them were packed with food to be cooked for Christmas dinner. What a way to end the year!