Full Notification

WINTER STORM JONAS UPDATE

MAYOR AMATO WOULD LIKE TO UPDATE RESIDENTS ON THE LATEST INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ON WINTER STORM JONAS.

BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AND COASTAL FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY, JANUARY 22nd, IN THE EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY, JANUARY 24th IN THE MORNING.

HAZARD TYPES:
HEAVY SNOW, STRONG WINDS AND WIDESPREAD MODERATE TO SEVERE COASTAL FLOODING IS EXPECTED WITH LOCALIZED AREAS OF MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING POSSIBLE. THE COASTAL FLOODING WILL LAST FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE HIGH TIDE CYCLES AS WATER IS PUSHED UP AGAINST THE COAST AND INTO THE BACK BAYS AND ESTUARIES.

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...6 TO 12 INCHES... WITH THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS MOSTLY INLAND FROM THE COAST.

TIMING...SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BETWEEN 7pm AND 10 pm THIS EVENING. THE SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES TONIGHT. THE SNOW SHOULD MIX WITH SLEET AND SOME RAIN FOR A TIME SATURDAY...THEN QUICKLY BACK OVER TO SNOW EARLY SATURDAY EVENING BEFORE TAPERING OFF EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

WINDS...NORTHEAST INCREASING LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY TO 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH.

TEMPERATURES MAINLY IN THE LOWER 30S.

AN INITIAL BURST OF SNOW LATER TONIGHT AND EARLY
SATURDAY IN COMBINATION WITH STRONG WINDS CAN RESULT IN WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES.

HOWEVER AS THE SNOW MIXES WITH SLEET AND RAIN FOR A TIME SATURDAY IT WILL MAKE IT VERY HEAVY AND WET. SHOVELING MAY BE PROBLEMATIC FOR THOSE WITH PHYSICAL AILMENTS. SNOW WILL CLING TO WIRES AND TREES WHICH COULD CAUSE POWER OUTAGES. ROADS COULD BECOME IMPASSABLE IN SOME AREAS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS... MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL.

TEMPORARY ON STREET PARKING PROHIBITED FOR SNOW PLOWING WILL GO INTO EFFECT TONIGHT. RESIDENTS MUST MOVE VEHICLES OFF ROADWAYS TO ALLOW FOR EFFICIENT PLOWING OPERATIONS.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOOD WATERS. THE WATER MAY BE DEEPER THAN YOU THINK IT IS. YOU WILL BE PUTTING YOURSELF IN DANGER AND YOUR VEHICLE MAY BE DAMAGED, LEADING TO COSTLY REPAIRS.

MOVE VEHICLES TO HIGHER GROUND IF LOCATED IN A FLOOD-PRONE AREA. RESIDENTS CAN USE THE LOWER PARKING LOT AT THE CENTRAL REGIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR VEHICLES.

SNOW PLOW AND SALTING PROCEDURES ARE NOW IN EFFECT.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
RESIDENTS SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY MEASURES TO SECURE ALL OF YOUR LOOSE ITEMS ON YOUR PROPERTY. SUCH AS PATIO FURNITURE, CHAIRS, TABLES, SPORTING EQUIPMENT, AWNINGS, ETC. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE SUPPLIES AND MEDICATIONS YOU NEED OVER NEXT FEW DAYS. CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS, INCLUDING THE ELDERLY.

TAKE TIME TO REMOVE GARBAGE CANS FROM STREET AS THE WINDS ARE PREDICTED TO BE VERY HIGH AND ALLOW FOR EFFICIENT PLOWING OPERATIONS.

PLEASE KEEP FIRE HYDRANTS CLEAR OF SNOW, IF POSSIBLE.

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

REMINDER: RESIDENTS WHO HAVE SANITATION AND RECYCLING SCHEDULE # 1 (PINEWALD SECTION) RECYCLING PICK UP SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 23rd WILL BE POSTPONED AND MOVED TO MONDAY, JANUARY 25th.

PLEASE DO NOT PUT OUT YOUR RECYCLING CAN UNTIL SUNDAY NIGHT FOR MONDAY'S PICK UP. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THIS INCONVENIENCE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT PUBLIC WORKS AT: 732-349-4616 or 732-341-1022.

POWER OUTAGES:
If a power outage occurs call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the Report Outages link on: www.firstenergycorp.com via smart phone. In the event of downed utility wires, you should immediately report them to JCP&L at the number above and 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.

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

Thank you,
MAYOR CARMEN AMATO