[SCROLL DOWN FOR EARLIER UPDATES]
[GET UP-TO-THE-MINUTE UPDATES ON THE TLS COMMUNITY]
Moments after the start of Shabbos, a major wind storm moved in and knocked out power to thousands in the Lakewood area.
The brief storm left thousands without power for the entire Shabbos, with temperatures reaching around 100 degrees.
The storm left homes damaged as a result of trees falling, and wires down in the region.
In Ocean County Park, the storm took down wires, starting a fire (video below).
NISSIM: Watch as a large tree was uprooted in Lakewood, causing major damage to a home, but B’Chasdei Hashem left occupants and pedestrians unharmed.
The homeowner tells TLS he was sitting with his family when he heard the tree crashing down onto his home, leaving a gaping hole.
There is currently no ETA to restoration.
DEVELOPING STORY – WILL BE UPDATED.
Yup JCPL always a winner.
makes no sense a short “storm” can cause us to have no power from 8:30 pm – 4:30 pm today
that short storm was as strong as a tornado! plus im sure lots of them were off for the holiday….lets give them some time
You give them time when you’re in 100 degrees
I’d like to see you up in a bucket lift at 100+F trying to replace a unit or rewire between poles. That’s after the ground crew has cleared the area of safety hazards.
They say they have 1,700 employees who will work on shifts 24/7 and over the holiday weakened
Maybe we should stop overtaxing the grid
for people reading, there were outages here from before storm, and more after
yes, don’t they normally bring in extra support from other states when there is a big storm?
From JCP&L:
Storm Update
Crews have been working around the clock to restore service following the severe storms that moved through our entire New Jersey service territory overnight. High winds brought down trees, damaged power lines and electrical equipment, and created hazardous conditions in many communities.
Additional crews were in position ahead of the heat wave, and more than 1,700 workers are engaged in storm response efforts. Additional line, transmission and forestry crews will be joining the restoration effort. Our teams will continue working 24/7 throughout the holiday weekend to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
Customers without power can pick up free water and ice at several local stores. View the list of locations.
If are without power due to the weather, please report it to us. Every outage report provides critical information that helps us plan restoration work:
Call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)
Text OUT to LIGHTS (544487)
Online at firstenergycorp.com/outages
Restoration times will be shared as available here on our map. You can also text STAT to 544487 for an update for your home.
Safety Reminders
Stay at least 30 feet from downed power lines. Report them ASAP to 9-1-1.
Don’t remove debris from electrical equipment.
Keep generators outside. Disconnect the power coming into your home to prevent sending power back onto lines and endangering workers. View more generator safety tips.
Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns instead of candles.
Never use gas stoves, grills or outdoor heaters for heat – they can produce deadly carbon monoxide.
Visit a local cooling center to cool down and charge devices.
Please report outages either online or over the phone
Lakewood is underrepresented because Noone reported over shabbos
Mi K’amcha Yisroel!!
It shows we are still moser nefesh for shabbos in 2026!
From JCP&L:
If you are without power due to the weather, please report it to us. Every outage report provides critical information that helps us plan restoration work:
Call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)
Text OUT to LIGHTS (544487)
Online at firstenergycorp.com/outages
What about till 6pm tonight not 430. We had an outage for 22 hours when the heat index was 115 degrees??? Where was JCP&l or whoever else was responsible to fix this??? Heads should be rolling. The entire day today no police or shomrim came around to see if people were ok. It was not ok. Our house went above 80 degrees and we couldn’t hang out outside.
Heads should be rolling bow for this!!!
My house read 90 degrees!!! And out power didn’t come back on until 7:00 pm!!
AGREED! IN WP from 6 pm before shabbos and IT IS STILL NOT ON!!! this is unacceptable!! Chaveirim did not come around at all!! Neighbors tried to help out but this was BAD!! JCPL we want answers!!! May it be a kapparah and the heat should bring moshiach
You’re calling out a volunteer organization, the way people are calling out JCP&L???
And I’m sure Chaveirim was out plenty, even if you didn’t see them. Lakewood’s a big town.
I lost power last night at 8:30 and got it back at 11:15. I live in New England Village. That is when I noticed how many of my neighbors have back-up generators…
1. I hope your neighbiurs invited you over.
2. Think about installing a generator.
Funny question: With all the money beings pent on generators, if it was spent on reinforcing the grid, would that not be better? (Not that it its should be necessary, we’re paying for the service.)
Mah she’batu’ach, batu’ach.
I would prefer to spend that type of money on something that enhances my everyday living.
We installed one after being without power for 2 weeks after Sandy. It wasn’t cheap and we keep up with maintenance but it is so worth it!
24 hours with no power. 105 degrees.
heads have to roll
YOU voted for these so-called elected officials. Hold their feet to the fire. Call them. Write to them. YOU pay their salary. Not everything that happens in NJ is Trump’s fault, despite what Andy Kim spews forth.
Is anyone still without power?
No power again
YES!!
uh yeh
Yes
Presidential just lost power now at 11PM MS
Yes, Sherlock Holmes the power grid isn’t meant to power so many homes this town is overpopulated not my problem. I’m under 18.
Well, yeah, detective Lakewood‘s powerline isn’t meant to power so many homes Lakewood roads aren’t meant to handle so many cars Lakewood sewer drains aren’t meant to drain so many water this town is overpopulated
So move out!!
did you not just see he wrote hes under 18?!?!?!
That’s why they put new pipes, then takes months on roads, which makes traffic – another issue!
The explain that they cannot just put huge sewer pipes, as it has to have a certain amount of force, and smaller diameter pipe causes it to flow with more force (depending on location and angle of flow to main pipes).
Son, it’s a grid, an interconnected network of power delivery systems, not something so simple as a power line. Don’t they teach you these basics in school?
In the 50’s the power would go out if a fire in the pines took out a transfer station or someone took out a power pole You may want to continue your education focusing on more practical matters like city planning,or at least learn to express yourself better. The grownups are attempting to have a civilized discussion. The cost of whole house generators has gone down over the years. If folks choose to buy in an area with frequent outages, a whole house generator should be considered.
Couldn’t have said it better. Son, the wise elders of the city gather in this sacred forum to discuss urgent timely matters in serious and productive format. There is simply no room for the young of heart nor those not-well versed in the intricacies of electric grid planning to insert themselves into the midst of such deliberations. You may want to continue your education focusing on more practical matters like city planning.
Eliyahu, if your under 18, why are you up and commenting?
The powerlines aren’t meant to power so many homes
It is a holiday weekend so they probably aren’t staffed enough to make repairs.
They said their crews are working over the holiday weekend – and they’ve brought in crews from other states – as is the deal when one state has a storm
they are staffed, the holiday just means they get overtime pay.
That’s crazy that it was this hot and people didn’t have power!!
it should be a kaparah for all who suffered through.
fyi – in Europe they don’t have AC!
ever.
Don’t or didn’t – meaning beore WWII?
he/she meant they still don’t
They don’t have ac but they do have a lot of fans without power we don’t even have that
but at least they had fans
I have a great pedal fan, its connected to a chain you pedal very hard and it blows a slight breeze on your face. I built it myself and will sell it for the right price.
had no power for 23 hours
Which areas didn’t have power on shobbos?
Raintree
Our power grid is about as reliable as our cell phone coverage.
I hope that house got a tarp on before the rain Motzoei Shabbos/Saturday night
Free Water and Ice Locations in NJ (08701 Area)
If you are in the 08701 area (Morristown, NJ) and without power, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) is offering free water and ice at several local retail locations. You’ll need to visit the store’s customer service desk to get a voucher before picking up WRNJ Radio.
CNJ
Ocean County
Acme
912 West Bay Ave
Barnegat
CNJ
Ocean County
Acme
Rt 35 & Washington
Ortley Beach/Seaside Heights
CNJ
Ocean County
Shop Rite
100 Town Center
Waretown
CNJ
Ocean County
Shop Rite
1001 Rt 70W, (Manchester)
Manchester
CNJ
Ocean County
Shop Rite
2 Rt 37 West
Toms River
CNJ
Ocean County
Shop Rite
260 County Line Rd.
Jackson
CNJ
Ocean County
Shop Rite
328 Rt 9, (Lacey)
Lanoka Harbor
CNJ
Ocean County
Shop Rite
427-429 Atlantic City Blvd.
Bayville
CNJ
Ocean County
Shop Rite
668 Rt 70
Brick
CNJ
Ocean County
Shop Rite
860 Fischer Blvd.
Toms River
I would imagine that the engineers in charge would not allow for to much power through the grid if it would be putting the public at risk. the issue here seems to have been downed wires and not a surge/overload…
it would be nice to see one of our active askanim to clear the way to put future wiring underground to avoid this kind of issue. This is how it as done in lots of Europe… no trees knocking down wires!!
We lost power earlier on Friday before the windstorm, so that was due to overload.
Yes, in all new neighborhoods, that’s how it’s done here since around the ’90’s or even ’80’s. But the truth is, in the ’70’s there was a major outage in Brooklyn, even though all the wires there are under the ground. And they’ve had underground fires in manholes too (around 2000).
Last year was the same thing, next year will be the same thing nothing ever changes … JCPL is untouchable… last year someone tried to make them take responsibility-nothing happened
I put in a 20 kw generator immediately following Sandy.
Nebech on the people whom don’t have power.
Nebech on the JCP&L workers whom have to go up in the bucket in 105° heat.
14 St. & Ivory Ct: C”H those mispallalim coming home from Kol Aryeh’s early Shabbos minyan made it as the tree blew down in the other direction; those trees were planted while those 14 st Bilevel’s were built about 60 years ago. It was alive full of leaves but the ground was saturated from the sprinkler systems overwatering. Just like it says in Pirkei Avos ( Mishnah) a person with good deeds and no torah is like a tree full of leaves and weak roots which is uprooted by a slight wind.
I have no power since friday afternoon. Its Sunday 7AM now and we’re really not doing well…any ideas of who to call besides for the regular number…doesnt seem to be doing much….
Hotel?!!!!??!
Chaveirim
the township set up cooling centers, the largest being gym at the high school. I would always recommend going to the beach or a water park and jumping in the water. you need the free ice for your refrigerators and freezers. I hope your family gets power back before this comment is written
Our power went on right before the first storm last night. And there is still no ETA on restoration.
Report to JCP? I’m just going to put this out there. They can shut your meter remotely. That being said they know exactly who doesn’t have power.
yes, you’re right, especially now that the “smart” meters are all connected via cell towers. What was I thinking. JCP&L hasn’t updated their storm message. Pure falsehood. They and gov are spying on you – they know exactly how much power you’re using ever millisecond, and based on that, exactly what appliance just turned on & off and when you’re home, and when you’re sleeping etc. (Gov. encourages them to install those meters – Communist Russia KGB spying is child’s play. And it’s all for your good – to prevent terrorism)
It’s so backwards that in 2026 they still need us to call in outages. If they can put smart meters on all our houses, why can’t they use those to find out if our power is out? And have similar devices on every transformer and substation. JCP&L shouldn’t be able to claim that they didn’t realize that so many people were out because no one called…
yes, you’re 1,000% right, they do know. THEY haven’t updated their storm message (I guess their office’s power went out too!:)
Thank you Hashem – we had power all Shabbos and only had an outage for about 43 minutes after Shabbos was over.
yes, we must appreciate more when we do have
The whole calling in thing is ridiculous. Of course they know who has and who doesn’t have power. This isn’t 1940.
shout out to all the workers out there and doing the work. The issue is the leadership.
No competition, biggest racket in the world.
its the Mafia. Need Trump to switch them out and charge them billions in fines. And then put in people who are honest and motivated
You can also more easily report an outage by texting OUT to 544487.
the state government allowed them to be bought by first energy, an ohio company. their corporate profits have taken precedent over our infrastructure and power needs ever since.
are they working on restoring the power?
yes, JCP&L says they have 1700 employees working 24/7 over the holiday weekend – including employees who come from other states, as is their agreement with each other
we should set up in every area a list of people with generators ready to do chesed in times like this….
Chaveirim (community volunteer org.) has generators for critical needs, and I think has compiled a list of those who are willing to volunteer theirs in times of need. Contractors are certainly working overtime now to fix houses etc.
every shul gabbay should have the list etc…
Why didn’t I get an aliyah this past Shabbos?
The number of JCP&L customers out in NJ was halved from Sat. night to Sun afternoon – from about 111K to about 60K
Scoop! you didn’t post that fireworks are cancelled for tonight! I’m patriotic and all, but shouldn’t you let people know?!
We were first to report it this morning: https://thelakewoodscoop.com/news/just-in-lakewood-drone-and-fireworks-show-postponed/
Oh, OK, TY, I don’t know why I didn’t notice it.
E county Line had >1500 out Sat night, and by Sun. night was down to tens
Good info: Downed Power Lines
Mod: You may want to post this as an article
Important safety tips from JCP&L – What To Do In Case of Downed Power Lines
SAFETY WARNING: Call 911 if you see a downed power line. Stay at least 30 feet away.
Serious injury and death can result from standing near, walking near or contacting downed power lines. Assume any downed or low-hanging power lines is energized and dangerous. An energized line may not spark, smoke or make any noise.
If you see a downed power line, you should always:
STOP: Stay At Least 30 Feet Away
Assume any downed or low-hanging power line is energized and dangerous. An energized line may not spark, smoke or make any noise.
Stay at least 30 feet away from downed distribution lines
Stay at least 100 feet away from downed transmission lines.
(Distribution Lines are the local telephone poles, transmission Lines are the tall steel towers)
LOOK: Survey the Area for Objects that May Be Energized
Carefully survey the area. Downed lines can energize the ground and nearby objects.
Keep the same distance from anything else that could be energized, instruct others to stay away.
LIVE: Call 911 to Report the Downed Power Line
The 911 operator will report the downed line to FirstEnergy. Never approach or attempt to move a line under any circumstances.
Customers with a communication disability can report a downed wire using the appropriate TTY/TDD relay service.
Other Tips for Staying Safe Around Downed Power Lines:
Do not stand under or near damaged trees or damaged utility equipment. Damaged objects and equipment could be unstable and fall at any time.
Do not drive over or under damaged lines.
Always obey road closure signs and barricades.
Never approach a utility worker unless they have confirmed it is safe to do so.
Learn more on how to stay safe around electricity on our Public Safety page.
What Should I Do If a Line Falls On My Vehicle?
Downed power lines in contact with a vehicle create a dangerous situation for drivers, passengers, bystanders, Good Samaritans and first responders.
If your vehicle is in contact with a power line or other electrical equipment:
Move the vehicle away from the line or equipment if you can do so safely.
If the vehicle cannot be moved, stay inside until electric utility workers notify you it is safe to exit.
Call 911 immediately to report the emergency.
Warn others to stay at least 30 feet away.
If you must exit the vehicle due to a fire or other imminent danger, do NOT touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Jump clear, land with your feet together and shuffle at least 30 feet away while keeping your feet close together and on the ground at all times. Do not return to the vehicle.
Source: Downed Power Lines