Thousands of residents along the Jersey Shore were left without electricity on September 26, 2026 after a powerful coastal storm brought strong winds and unusually high tides to the region. The gusts, reported to be severe enough to knock down power lines, caused widespread outages across the shoreline, with the Wildwood area among the most affected communities.
Utility crews from the regional power company were dispatched immediately to assess the damage and begin restoration efforts. Teams focused on clearing fallen trees and repairing damaged poles that had been toppled by the wind. Crews worked throughout the day, navigating flooded roadways and high water levels that made access to some outage sites difficult. Despite the challenging conditions, workers reported steady progress in re‑energizing sections of the grid as power lines were repaired and safety checks completed.
Residents in the affected neighborhoods described the loss of power as a major inconvenience, especially as the storm continued to push high tide farther inland. Many reported that the outage disrupted refrigeration, heating, and communication devices, prompting families to rely on generators and battery‑powered lights. Local authorities advised residents to avoid non‑essential travel on flooded streets and to stay alert for further weather updates.
The storm’s strong winds are identified as the primary cause of the outage, with high tide exacerbating the situation by flooding low‑lying areas and complicating repair work. The utility company emphasized that safety remains the top priority, and that crews will continue to work until all customers have power restored. No reports of injuries or major property damage have been released at this time.
As the night progressed, power began to return to several neighborhoods, though some residents remained in the dark. Officials reminded the public that restoration times can vary depending on the extent of damage and weather conditions, and they urged patience while crews complete the remaining work.