Contractor strikes power line at Jones Beach, cutting off electricity to parts of Gilgo, ToBay beaches
The 99-year-old East Bathhouse at Jones Beach State Park, in February, 2024. It is curently undergoing a a $100 million project to renovate and restore the facility. Credit: Danielle Silverman
A State Parks contractor, digging as part of renovations to the East Bath House at Jones Beach, knocked out power Thursday to more than 150 customers for more than 24 hours, officials said.
PSEG Long Island officials said the contractor was digging Thursday afternoon northeast of the East Bathhouse, when a power line was struck, cutting electricity to parts of Jones Beach, Tobay Beach and Gilgo Beach.
State Parks spokesman Dan Keefe said. "PSEG Long Island responded immediately to begin assessment of damages and repairs."
Power still remained out to about 153 residents and customers as of 5 p.m. Friday and was set to be restored by 8 a.m. Saturday, PSEG officials said.
PSEG officials were able to restore power to 36 customers initially after the outage. PSEG officials said they also provided generators to the boat yard and the Surf Shack at Tobay Beach.
Oyster Bay town officials said Tobay beach bathrooms and facilities were running on municipal generators while restaurants were affected.
Field 6 at Jones Beach was closed Friday, but the Center Mall and the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater were not affected. Friday night’s show, Yacht Rock Revue, and Saturday’s Riley Green concert were expected to continue as planned.
The main power line was cut where state officials are working on a $100 million project to renovate and restore the 97-year-old East Bathhouse. The bathhouse has been shuttered since 2008, to add a new swimming pool, spray park and playground. It is scheduled to open this summer.
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
