Full Notification

Protect your pipes and property 

The Hoboken Office of Emergency Management (OEM) warns residents that fluctuating temperatures can lead to burst pipes. Rapid changes in temperature can cause pipes to expand and contract, weakening them, potentially leading to extensive and costly property damage. 

To avoid frozen pipes, OEM recommends residents take the following precautions:   

• Ensure that any pipes exposed to the cold are properly insulated.
• Familiarize yourself with the location of your water and furnace shutoffs so you can act quickly in an emergency. 
• Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly as keeping water moving through pipes can help prevent freezing.  

If your pipes are already frozen, OEM recommends taking the following steps to help reduce risk of a burst or a plumbing emergency:  

• Turn off the water supply to minimize water damage if a pipe bursts. 
• Open all faucets connected to the frozen pipe to allow water and steam to escape as it thaws, which also relieves pressure. 
• Apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe, using a hairdryer, space heater, electric heat tape, or hot water-soaked towels. 
• Check other faucets in your home to identify additional frozen pipes. 

Never use any type of open flame to thaw pipes, including a blow torch or propane heaters. Keep all heat sources away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended. 

Anyone with a plumping related emergency, including a burst pipe, or broken furnace, can contact Hoboken Police at (201) 420-2100 or Hoboken Fire at (201) 420-2004. If you are displaced due to heating or plumbing issues, and have nowhere else to go, OEM can assist by providing access to heating facilities.  

Watch for black ice and slippery spots 

Residents are advised to take caution and look out for potential black ice on streets and sidewalks, especially during the early morning and evening hours.  

While we are experiencing warmer daytime temperatures, the ground and pavement often take longer to warm up than the air. In the evening, as the sun goes down and temperatures drop again, puddles, remaining ice, or snow may refreeze, creating slippery conditions.   

Pedestrians are encouraged to take it slow, wear footwear with good traction, and use extra caution at intersections, corners, and shaded areas where surfaces freeze first.  

Property owners are asked to continue to treat sidewalks as needed, to help reduce the risk of slips and falls.