Live N.J. power outage tracker: Severe thunderstorms knock out power to thousands [Video]

Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms Monday have already knocked out power to thousands of New Jersey homes and businesses and weather forecasters say more nasty storms are likely on the way through the evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for all 21 New Jersey counties through 9 p.m. Heavy rain, gusty winds up to 65 mph and hail are expected. Tornadoes are also a possibility.

The severe weather that started Monday morning sent big Memorial Day crowds home from the Jersey Shore early and caused massive traffic jams on the Garden State Parkway and other major roads to the beach towns.

About 3,400 power outages were reported as of 3 p.m. on Monday, most of them JCP&L customers. Sussex County had the most outage at more than 1,500. During the earlier round of storms this morning, a peak of 4,500 customers were without power.