At approximately 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, a widespread power outage left an estimated 2,700 JCP&L customers without electricity across parts of Lakewood, including areas along New Hampshire Avenue, Ridge Avenue, Route 88, and nearby neighborhoods.

The outage also knocked out power to multiple traffic signals, prompting officials to urge motorists to use caution and treat dark intersections as four-way stops. Chaveirim of Central Jersey advised residents that generator assistance was being limited to emergency situations due to increased demand.

As of 6:15 p.m., approximately 2,700 customers remain without power. JCP&L crews are actively working to restore service, with the utility currently estimating power will be restored by 10:00 p.m. The cause of the outage has not yet been announced.