Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) issued the following statement today on the power outages throughout the state:
“It is unacceptable that roughly 200,000 New Jerseyans are still without power and unknown number could be without power into the weekend. We all knew the forecast called for drenching rain and powerful winds. Utility companies knew that too. The lack of rapid response is inexcusable.
“It seems like losing power for extended periods of time has become the new norm. Last night’s storm was not a hurricane. It was a thunderstorm. I refuse to accept that we simply lose power after almost every thunderstorm. I call on these utilities to take a close look at their procedures before, during and after storms and come up with a better plan of action. Their customers deserve that.
“Residents who are experiencing a power outage should call their electric company and should not assume someone else has already done it. Those in need of shelter or a place to cool off should call 2-1-1 to find the nearest location.”