Full Notification

BLIZZARD WATCH - SNOW PLOWING PROCEDURES – TEMPORARY PARKING PROHIBITIONS – POWER OUTAGE INFORMATION – OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION

MAYOR AMATO WOULD LIKE RESIDENTS TO BE PREPARED FOR UPCOMING WINTER STORM EVENT. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD WATCH.

THIS STORM IS ANTICIPATED TO BE THE LARGEST SNOW STORMS OF THE WINTER WILL SEVERELY IMPACT OUR AREA MONDAY, JANUARY 26TH INTO TUESDAY, JANUARY 27TH .

WHILE THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY AS TO THE TRACK AND INTENSITY OF A DEVELOPING NOR`EASTER LATE MONDAY...THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT SNOW WILL AFFECT TRAVEL MONDAY AND TUESDAY IN MUCH OF OUR AREA.

THE BLIZZARD WATCH WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.

* LOCATIONS...THE NORTHEAST AND CENTRAL NEW JERSEY COUNTIES OF MONMOUTH AND OCEAN.

* HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW WITH WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH CAUSING CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 10 TO 18 INCHES.

* TIMING...SNOW BEGINS NEAR DAWN MONDAY AND SHOULD SLOW THE MORNING COMMUTE. THERE MAY BE SOME MELTING OF THE SNOW ON PAVEMENT MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT PORTION OF THIS STORM BEGINS SOMETIME MONDAY AFTERNOON OR EVENING THEN EVENTUALLY WINDS DOWN MIDDAY TUESDAY.

* IMPACTS...COULD BE A MAJOR IMPACT ON COMMERCE AND TRAVEL MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING WITH BLIZZARD CONDITIONS POSSIBLE.

* WINDS...NORTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH.

* TEMPERATURES...MID 20S TO LOWER 30S.

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FALLING AND/OR BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITIES. THIS CAN LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AND MAKE TRAVEL VERY DANGEROUS.

As we prepare for the winter weather season, we would like to remind residents the following:

FROM THE DIVISION OF STREETS AND ROADS:

SNOW PLOW AND SALTING PROCEDURES

At the start of a snow storm, salt and sanding vehicles are dispatched in Berkeley Township. Major roadways are usually done first, followed by secondary roadways. After the snow has stopped and it has been determined that accumulations have exceeded 5", the Township will begin to snow plow. The Township will utilize approximately 70 pieces of Township equipment and approximately 30 contracted loaders for cul-de-sacs. All streets are opened curb to curb to insure the drains are opened. Sanding and salting operations continue as needed.

Each snowplow vehicle has been assigned a section to plow and will remain in that section until all roadways have been sufficiently cleaned. This may require the snowplow vehicle to make multiple passes on each street. Township forces will be plowing each street from curb to curb during each snowfall. On occasion, due to the lack of areas between the sidewalk and curb, sidewalks and driveway aprons may become covered with snow that falls off the snowplow blade. Township forces will not remove snow from any sidewalk or driveway apron in these instances. We regret this unfortunate inconvenience. At no time is snow to be disposed of into the street from the property, parking lots, driveways and sidewalks. All snow blowers should be directed to blow snow back onto the property.

After the streets are plowed and salted, snow deposited back into the roadway creates hazardous situations, causes additional plowing of the streets and blocking of parked vehicles and driveways after the original cleanup. Summonses could be issued for non-compliance. We want to thank everyone for complying with these requests and following the ordinances, rules and regulations of the Township of Berkeley. Any questions on these policies and procedures, Call Steven J. Seiler, Principal Public Works Manager At: 732-349-4616 or 732-341-1022. Or you can Email: [email protected]

FROM THE DIVISION OF POLICE:

Township Ordinance 7-8.3

Temporary Parking Prohibited for Snow Plowing and Removal.

Whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the streets and highways, an emergency shall exist and no vehicle shall be parked on the streets or highways or portions thereof indicated. The parking prohibitions listed below shall remain in effect after the snow has ceased, until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic.

Any unoccupied vehicle parked or standing in violation shall be deemed a nuisance and a menace to the safe and proper regulation of traffic and any Police Officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle. The owner shall pay the reasonable costs of the removal and storage, which may result from such removal before regaining possession of the vehicle.

POWER OUTAGES:
If a power outage occurs as a result of the severe weather, customers should call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the “Report Outage” link on: www.firstenergycorp.com via smartphone.

In the event of downed utility wires, you should immediately report
them to JCP&L at the number above or the Berkeley Township Police Department at 732-341-6600.

Residents should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity.

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
Phone: (732) 914-8966 Or Email: [email protected]

For additional general information and updates on the snow event please visit: www.berkeleytownship.org or turn on TV channel 22.

Thank You!!
Mayor Carmen Amato