Hurricane Irene Slams the Shore; 49,000 Without Power

The onslaught of Hurricane Irene has begun across the Jersey Shore.

A days worth of intermittent rain erupted into massive ocean swells, torrential showers and heavy sustained and gusting winds by Saturday evening and, forecasters say, the worst is still to come.

By 2:30 a.m., widespread power outages were being reported up and down the coast. According to Jersey Central Power & Light, major outages were reported in Monmouth County with more than 49,000 customers reporting a loss of electricity.

In Wall, Jersey Central Power & Light reports that about 2,800 people are without power, according to its outage map. Howell appears to be among the hardest hit, with more than 5,800 in the dark.

Wall Township Police in a 2 a.m. statement said officers have responded to numerous incidents involving downed trees and power lines throughout town and the department asks drivers to stay off the roads until the storm passes.

President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency on Saturday, opening the door for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid with relief efforts in the state.

The National Weather Service has issued Hurricane, Tornado and Flood Warnings across Monmouth County that will remain in effect throughout the day on Sunday as the storm hammers its way up the eastern seaboard, running parallel to the Jersey Shore towards New York.

Towns in Monmouth County took preemptive action, issuing voluntary and mandatory evacuations as well as curfews.

Belmar, which is under a voluntary evacuation order, , with businesses being required to close and residents being required to remain indoors. The curfew is scheduled to end at 6 a.m. on Monday.

In Manasquan, in low-lying and waterfront areas of the borough including all neighborhoods east of Potter Avenue as well as Deep Creek Drive and Glimmer Glass Circle.

Evacuated residents seeking refuge found shelter at Wall Township High School, . Shelters within the county have also been opened at , Colts Neck, Holmdel and high schools.

Wall Township itself in certain neighborhoods, though some media outlets reported incorrectly that the entire township was under a mandatory evacuation.

In Howell, Township Manaser Helene Schlegel reported . Schlegel left open the possibility of a complete travel ban throughout the municipality.

The Garden State Parkway was closed to southbound traffic at Exit 98 in Wall as of 8 p.m. on Friday and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie suspended tolls in order to facilitate the quicker evacuation of Shore areas.

as the storm moves steadily north.