Watchung continues recovery after July storms downed trees, poles and disrupted utilities

Watchung remained in recovery mode July 6 after extreme weather over several days caused widespread tree and utility-pole damage, power outages, road closures, flooding concerns and localized communications problems.

The borough said the storm period ran from July 2 through July 6, 2026. A heat wave contributed to power outages on July 2, followed by severe thunderstorms on July 3 that brought down trees and utility poles across the community. The damage affected electrical infrastructure and made some roads inaccessible or subject to closure.

Cleanup and utility restoration were continuing as officials monitored conditions. A flash-flood alert remained in effect July 6, adding a continuing weather concern as crews and residents dealt with the effects of the earlier storms.

Power restoration did not resolve every service problem

Electricity was not the only utility affected. Optimum reported that localized network issues continued in some areas even after commercial power had been restored. For residents and businesses, that meant the return of electricity did not necessarily restore internet service at the same time.

The disruptions also extended to households relying on private wells. Residents without working wells could obtain emergency bottled water at the Watchung Police Department. That arrangement gave affected households an alternative source of drinking water while well-related problems were addressed.

The borough’s update did not provide a final count of outages, damaged poles or closed roads, and it did not give a completion date for restoration work. Conditions and repairs could therefore continue to change as cleanup progressed.

How residents can follow updates

Watchung directed residents to its Nixle alerts and the MyWatchung app for current information about road conditions, utility restoration, flooding concerns and emergency instructions.

Residents can sign up for Nixle alerts by using ZIP code 07069 and sending it to short code 888777. Those communications provide a way for households, businesses and people traveling through the borough to receive changing information while recovery work continues.

The storm response affected transportation, electricity, communications and water access at the same time. That made restoration information especially important for residents managing medical needs, depending on private wells or trying to plan travel around road closures.