Wild Winter Storm Downs Trees, Power Lines Across New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Residents are dealing with downed trees and power lines while officials are closely watching some rivers and streams after a wave of strong storms packing heavy rain and wild winds swept across New Jersey.

There are 13,742 homes and businesses without power Thursday.

Jersey Central Power and Light is reporting 8,287 outages, mainly in Monmouth and Morris counties. Most of PSE&G's 3,276 outages are in Middlesex and Camden counties. Atlantic City Electric is reporting 1,729 customers without service, mostly in Gloucester County.

A flood warning remains in effect for Somerset and northwest Warren counties and for parts of the Rockaway and Ramapo rivers. Creeks and streams across the region are running high because of the heavy rain.

The wind and rain brought down trees and large branches in neighborhoods on Wednesday night, damaging some homes and buildings.

One 50-foot tree collapsed onto the deck of a New Milford family's home as they ate dinner.

"All of a sudden, boom, boom, boom, boom and it was like the sky falling," said homeowner Kevoik Kadehjian.

It rained so hard, firefighters in boats had to rescue people in Franklin Township, 1010 WINS' John Montone reported.

The loss of electricity and storm damage has caused some schools to close or delay opening. Among them is the All Kids First daycare in Vineland, where a tree crashed through a roof.

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