JCP&L is preparing to tackle potential outages tonight due to intense weather conditions that are expected across the state Monday night

Damaging wind gusts and tornadoes are possible throughout the afternoon and evening. A tornado watch was issued for parts of the state.

The power company has extra staff on standby, and crews are ready to work 16-hour rotations, said Chris Hoenig, a JCP&L spokesperson. Downed trees are the most common cause of outages, according to Hoenig.

Bucket trucks are grounded if wind gusts exceed 40 mph, per OSHA regulations, but will resume operation once the winds die down.

A pole and wire came down in the Tinton Falls area early Monday, leaving thousands of JCP&L customers in Monmouth County without power. Hoenig said that has since been isolated to a few dozen customers.