High Winds Wreak Havoc on Friday Night Commute
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HAWTHORNE/GLEN ROCK, NJ — A chaotic scene unfolded during the Friday evening commute as a massive tree crashed across Route 208 Southbound, bringing down high-tension power lines and forcing an emergency closure that lasted for several hours.
The incident occurred late Friday afternoon, December 19, 2025, during a fast-moving flash storm that battered North Jersey with high winds. The falling tree struck at least two passenger vehicles traveling on the highway. Miraculously, despite moderate damage to the cars, no injuries were reported.
Hazardous Conditions: Lincoln Avenue Bridge “Energized”
The situation grew significantly more dangerous when authorities discovered that the downed high-tension primary electric lines had come into contact with the Lincoln Avenue pedestrian and vehicle bridge.
The bridge’s metal surface and protective chain-link fencing became electrically energized, posing a lethal risk to anyone nearby. Emergency crews immediately shut down the bridge to prevent a potential tragedy.
Multi-Agency Emergency Response
Police and fire departments from both Hawthorne and Glen Rock worked in tandem to secure the perimeter and manage the gridlocked traffic. The response included:
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Traffic Control & Safety: Glen Rock PD and FD, alongside Hawthorne PD and FD.
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Infrastructure Repair: PSE&G Electric Division crews arrived on-site to de-energize the lines and clear the hazardous wires from the bridge.
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Highway Cleanup: NJDOT Emergency Response personnel utilized heavy equipment to remove the tree blocking all southbound travel lanes.
Travel Impact and Commuter Advice
Route 208 Southbound remained a “no-go” zone through the height of the Friday rush hour, sending ripples of traffic through local roads in Fair Lawn, Hawthorne, and Glen Rock.
While lanes began to reopen late Friday night, residents are urged to remain vigilant. With winter storms increasing in frequency, downed wires should always be treated as live and dangerous. Never approach or drive over downed power lines.
Incident Snapshot: Route 208 Southbound Closure
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Route 208 SB at Hawthorne/Glen Rock Border |
| Cause | Fallen tree and downed high-tension wires |
| Secondary Hazard | Lincoln Ave Bridge surface became energized |
| Injuries | Zero (0) |
| Agencies Involved | Glen Rock FD/PD, Hawthorne FD/PD, NJDOT, PSE&G |
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