Thousands without power in South Jersey

1:57 p.m.

Customers of Atlantic City Electric, from the coast to most of southeast New Jersey, should expect to lose electricity overnight as Sandy slams ashore, according to the utility company's regional president.

Initial restoration work will need to wait until winds drop below 40 miles per hour, which could be as long as 48 hours. But complete restoration is expected to take a week or more, Vince Maione warned during a Monday afternoon conference call.

1:30 p.m.

As of 1:30 p.m. PSE&G has reported that about 6,200 customers are without power. The number is up from the 4,000 reported at 10:30 a.m.

PSE&G continues to urge customers to prepare for the possibility of lengthy outages - perhaps seven days or more. And it may take until Wednesday until a full assessment of the storm's damage can be made and the utility can more accurately predict when full restoration can be made.

In addition to widespread electric outages, PSE&G expects the heavy rain and predicted storm surge to result in gas outages. Water could enter the utility's gas distribution system, as well as flood customers' basements and gas appliances.

Customers are reminded to call PSE&G to report gas odors, and contact their local fire department and municipal construction office to receive assistance in pumping the water out of their basements.

11:30 a.m.

Atlantic City Electric reported more than 19,000 customers without power as of 11 a.m. Fewer than 2,000 were out as of 9 a.m.

The largest number of outages were in the mainland area of Southern Ocean County.

The utility serves the shore from Cape May to Long Beach Island and inland areas south and east of Camden County.

10:30 a.m.

PSE&G is reporting that about 4,000 customers are without power, the majority of which are located in the tri-county area.

The utility company is urging customers to prepare for the possibility of lengthy outages - perhaps seven days or more - due to the severity of Hurricane Sandy.

Officials said it may take until Wednesday until a full assessment of the storm's damage can be made, and PSE&G can more accurately predict when full restoration can be made.

9:55 a.m.

Camden County officials have reported approximately 1,500 outages with the highest concentration being in Cherry Hill.

9:05 a.m.

Some homes in Burlington County have begun to lose power as heavy rains from the storm continue to soak South Jersey this morning.

As of 8:45 a.m. PSE&G reported limited power outages in Evesham, Willingboro, Mount Laurel and Hainesport.

Burlington County police dispatch, however, has reported no major incidents as of this morning.

Atlantic City Electric reported more than 1,600 customers without power as of 9 a.m.

The utility serves the shore from Cape May to Long Beach Island and inland areas south and east of Camden County.

A primary concern in the county is tidal flooding of the Rancocas Creek. Officials said Sunday they had reduced water levels in the creek, which empties into the Delaware River.

An update is expected from Burlington County at 10 a.m.

Courier-Post Staff