Full Notification

The Bridgewater Police Department along with the Bridgewater Office of Emergency Management are closely monitoring the Winter Storm approaching Sunday (https://www.bridgewaterpd.com/emergency-alert):
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A fast moving coastal low will bring impacts to our region starting early Sunday morning through Sunday afternoon

Near the Interstate 95 corridor, heavy snow and amounts of 4 to 7 inches is possible. Locally higher amounts will be possible along a narrow corridor where banding sets up.

For the Lehigh Valley, Berks County, southern Poconos, and far northwest New Jersey, snow amounts up to 5 inches are possible.

In coastal portions of southern New Jersey and Delaware, a wintry mix is
possible, but significant snow accumulations are not expected.

Snow rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible in the heaviest snow bands on Sunday morning, which may create treacherous traveling conditions quickly.

Winds near gale force are possible on the Atlantic coastal waters adjacent to Delaware, Delaware Bay, and southern New Jersey on Sunday.
Significant coastal flooding is not expected with this system. (NWS)
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Stay home if you do not need to travel!
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Please review the Snow Emergency Routes (https://www.bridgewaterpd.com/snow-emergency-routes) where vehicles shall be removed from the roadway once snow has fallen and covered the roadway. Vehicles parked on a snow emergency route are subject to a summons and tow at the owner's expense.

During snow events, we request that cars be placed in driveways and off the street. Trash cans and recycling containers should also be kept off the roadways as the plow driver may not see these obstacles or may go around those obstacles leaving these areas un-plowed. The Township will not be responsible for any damage to trash cans, recycling containers, basketball hoops, street hockey goals, etc. damaged during snow plow or salting operations. It is the owner’s responsibility to have these items relocated or removed.

If you have a fire hydrant in front of your house, please help our fire departments by clearing the area in case of an emergency!

​In general, the snow plow procedure during the storm is to clean the center of the roadway, to provide access to all roads in an area. Once the storm is over the driver will then proceed to clear the roadway curb to curb (edge to edge of pavement) on each street in the area. Depending on the rate of snowfall we may need to open the center of all the roadways in an area first, delaying the full width clearing to a later time in the snow event. If the roadway has not been cleaned curb to curb, be aware that the front of your driveway maybe covered with snow as the plows complete their work. Please be aware that major roads are plowed first before local residential streets and cul-de-sacs.

If you have any questions please call (908) 725-6300 ext. 6000 or email [email protected]
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Do not drive around road closed signs or barricades!

Visit ready.nj.gov for information on how to build a kit, make a plan, and prepare your family for emergencies. Pets are family too! Remember to include them in your emergency plans. Visit animalemergency.nj.gov to find out more.

Important Tips to Remember:
– Secure loose items in your yard such as trash cans, children’s toys, and lawn ornaments.
– Have cash on hand. If the power is out, so are the ATMs and credit card machines.
– Gas up your cars ahead of the storm. The gas pumps will not work without power or may be too damaged to open afterwards.
– Be sure to check on friends and neighbors who have access or functional needs.
– Be sure to have extra medications on hand and keep them in a water resistant container.
– Get all of your vital records and insurance papers together NOW. Keep them in a water resistant container. If you can, scan and email them to yourself so you have a copy of important numbers and policies, etc.
– Charge your cell phones and try not to use them if the power goes out. Texting uses less power than a cell call, so use text messaging when possible to save power.
– Discuss business continuity plans now. Whether you are the boss or report to a boss, discuss your game plan for continued business operations.
– NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans in or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off.
– Know where your utility shut off valves (gas, electric, water) are and how to use them.
– Know how to report a power outage to your utility company (see below).

Drive Safely:
Bridgewater Police will be out on patrol and ready to assist. If you must be on the roads, leave extra time to reach your destination and take it slow. Remember to "remove ice and snow before you go," it's the law! For more information regarding driving times and current incidents visit: www.511nj.org/

Power Outage Safety Tips:
– Only use flashlights for emergency lighting, candles can cause fires.
– Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours.
– Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside.
– Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
– Never use your oven as a source of heat.
– If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm. Call NJ 2-1-1 for additional resources.
– Turn off or disconnect appliances and other equipment in case of a momentary power “surge” that can damage computers and other devices. Consider adding surge protectors.
– Only use generators away from your home and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home’s electrical system.

§ 182-1 Removal from sidewalks by owners; time limit.
The owner or owners, tenant or tenants of any land abutting upon the public streets, avenues and highways of the Township of Bridgewater shall remove all snow and ice from the abutting sidewalks of such public streets, avenues and highways within 12 hours of daylight after the same shall cease to fall or be formed thereon or within such longer period as shall be fixed by the Mayor or Director of Public Works in the event of emergency.

​§ 182-1.2 Dumping snow or ice on traveled way.
[Added 1-22-1998 by Ord. No. 98-1]
Furthermore, no owner or owners, tenant or tenants, contractors or subcontractors shall plow, shovel, blow, throw or otherwise deposit snow onto or into any public roadway or street within the Township in such a manner so as to result in the reduction of the cleared traveled way to a width of 18 feet or less, thus preventing, restricting or impeding the free and clear passage of pedestrians and motor vehicles. Any sump pump discharging into the public right-of-way in such a manner as to cause an icing condition within the traveled way shall be redirected by the homeowner to a discharge point that does not adversely impact the public right-of-way. Property owners, their tenants and their contractors shall be held equally responsible.
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If you lose power, contact your local power provider and not Police Communications unless an emergency exists (ie. power line causing a fire or blocking a roadway):
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PSE&G: 800-436-7734 | https://nj.pseg.com/outageandgasleaks
JCP&L: 888-544-4877 | https://www.firstenergycorp.com/outages_help/Report_Power_Outages.html
NJ American Water: 800-272-1325

Treat all downed power lines as if they are still live. Do not approach or touch any downed line. It is encouraged to charge all cell phones and have extra batteries in the event you lose power.