On Saturday, December 23, 2024, at approximately 8:00 a.m., approximately 5,200 residents of Whiting experienced a power outage due to an overloaded power grid caused by extremely low temperatures. During the day, temperatures hovered around 23 degrees and dropped to the low teens overnight.

In response to the outage, the Manchester Township Police Department issued multiple Nixle alerts and social media posts to keep residents informed throughout the duration of the event. A Reverse 911 call was also initiated, providing all residents with details on warming station locations and transportation assistance. Due to the power outage, multiple traffic lights were inoperable and were manned by numerous officers for several hours until the power was restored. In addition, welfare checks were conducted by officers to ensure the safety of vulnerable residents.

Several warming stations were opened to ensure the safety and comfort of residents:

  • Manchester EMS and Whiting Volunteer Fire Company during the daytime hours.
  • Manchester Township High School overnight, operated by the American Red Cross, which provided food, beds, and pet-friendly accommodations.

Residents who were unable to drive were transported to warming stations by Manchester Township Police officers and members of the Manchester Township School District Transportation Department.

This incident represented a large-scale, multi-agency response where every organization worked hand-in-hand with one another and the community to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected residents. The coordination and cooperation displayed throughout the response exemplify the strong relationships between local, county, and volunteer agencies and their unwavering commitment to the public. From providing vital updates to transporting residents to warming centers, everyone involved worked tirelessly to meet the needs of the community during this challenging time.

As of this time, power has been restored to approximately 5,000 residents, with the final 200 residents expected to regain power shortly. All individuals who stayed overnight at Manchester Township High School have been transported back to their homes.

The Manchester Township Police Department would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all those who assisted during this incident. This includes the Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services, Brick Township Emergency Medical Services, Whiting Volunteer Fire Company, Manchester Volunteer Fire Company, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, and the Manchester Township Office of Emergency Management. We are also grateful to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Ocean County Department of Health, Manchester Township Board of Education and Transportation Department, and the American Red Cross for their critical support and coordination. The combined efforts of these organizations, along with the incredible resilience of our residents, ensured the community was supported every step of the way.