New Jersey nor'easter brings heavy rain, power outages

🌧️Heavy rain pushed rainfall totals near five inches in parts of Monmouth County

🌧️Utility outages climbed to about 20,000 across New Jersey Sunday morning

🌧️NJ Transit suspended North Jersey Coast Line service for a time after a tree fell on the tracks

It's another round of repairs for utility crews as the nor'easter continues to impact New Jersey with heavy rain.

Steady to heavy rain fell during the overnight hours Sunday, with a lull expected in the afternoon before one more batch of heavier rain Sunday night, according to Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow. The National Weather Service says some areas of northern Monmouth County received nearly five inches of rain, including Bradley Beach, Neptune City, Neptune Township and Long Branch.

While 2-3 inches of rain fell in Atlantic County, Egg Harbor Township and Linwood, and Old Bridge in Middlesex County picked up nearly 3.5 inches.

"Today will be a bit different than yesterday, as our big focus and the top storm concern has shifted a bit. Yes, we are still worried about one more extra-high high tide cycle. And winds will kick up a notch for a few hours late this morning. But I think rain becomes New Jersey's #1 coastal storm impact going forward," Zarrow said.

ALSO READ: Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow's latest on noreaster

Fallen tree in Gloucester Township Sun., Sept. 27, 2026 (Gloucester Township police)

Thousands of New Jersey customers lose power

Saturated ground and gusty winds likely added more power outages Sunday morning. JCP&L, PSE&G and Atlantic City Electric had a combined total of around 5,000 outages around dawn Sunday. But that number grew to over 23,000 as of 1:45 p.m.

JCP&L: 18,401 customers without power, mostly in Hunterdon, Monmouth (Freehold Borough, Howell, Millstone, Middletown and OceanTownship), Morris, Ocean, Somerset and Sussex counties
Atlantic City Electric: 2.228 customers without power across its service area
PSE&G: 2,770 customers without power across its service area

JCP&L spokesman Chris Hoenig says the utility has 3,200 people working on restoration, including 1,600 line workers, more than 580 foresters, along with substation crews, damage assessors, hazard responders and support personnel.

"We're going to keep going 24 hours a day working as fast and safely as possible to get the lights back on," Hoenig said, adding that customers should report outages.

ALSO READ: 9 rescued from motels as bay water reaches major flood stage

Flooding in Stafford Township Sat., Sept. 26. 2026 (Ocean County Sheriff's Office)

Downed tree suspends NJ Transit service

NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line was suspended Sunday in both directions between Aberdeen-Matawan and Long Branch due to "multiple downed trees" across the tracks near Middletown. Service was restored around 10 a.m. with 45 minute delays.

NJ Transit crews clear a tree from the North Jersey Coast Line in Middletown Sun., Sept. 27, 2026 (NJ Transit)

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom

First fall storm slams New Jersey

The first fall nor'easter of 2026 rolled in overnight, the last weekend of September. By Saturday afternoon, much of Long Beach Island and other Shore spots were underwater, with stronger than usual high tides and coastal flooding.

Elsewhere in New Jersey, gusty winds downed trees and caused other chaos, as seen in these audience submitted photos.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt