West Orange Power Outages Close Schools, Snarl Morning Traffic

West Orange, NJ – Several power outages hit West Orange on Wednesday, forcing the closure of multiple district schools and backing up traffic, authorities stated.

As of 9:30 a.m., the PSE&G online outage map showed a power issue affecting 1,529 customers in the area of Pleasant Valley Way that began at 4:08 a.m.

In addition, the map showed a power outage near Eagle Rock Avenue and Barry Drive that affected 479 customers and began around 7:02 a.m., and a separate outage on Pleasant Valley Way that affected “fewer than five” customers.

West Orange town officials posted the following message on the municipal website on Wednesday morning:

“Due to a power outage Pleasantdale school is closed today, Wednesday, February 17. West Orange High School will be closing at 9:30 a.m. Students who ride a bus will be transported home beginning around 9:30 a.m. The closing is due to the boilers not working and the electricity not working in the lunchrooms and certain classrooms.”

The same message was also posted on the West Orange Public School District website on Wednesday.

The school district posted the following advisory on its Facebook page around 8 a.m.

“Power lines down causing scattered power outages at WOHS and Pleasantdale Elementary. Students are safe. Decision on remainder of school day to come shortly.”

West Orange town officials stated that traffic was backed up in the area of the high school around 5 a.m., and advised motorists to use an alternate route.

DeCamp Bus Lines reported via social media that a fire near West Orange High School forced a rerouting of their 66R buses around 9 a.m.

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