(Lindenwold, NJ) – As an approaching nor’easter threatens to deliver from 3 to 6 inches of snow across Camden County, work is already underway at the Camden County Department of Public Works (CCDPW) to respond to the inclement conditions moving throughout the region.
“The first snowflakes from the coastal storm could fall this evening and continue until tomorrow night. This will be an all-hands-on deck operation for Camden County crews as they work to keep Camden County roads passable,” said Freeholder Susan Shin Angulo, liaison to the CCDPW. “During the height of the storm, we could experience accumulation rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Due to the heavy, wet nature of the snow, along with gusty winds expected, there is a serious threat of downed trees and power outages. It is important that you and your family are prepared.”
At the public works complex in Lindenwold, more than 100 pieces of equipment are available to keep county roadways passable. When the weather becomes treacherous, personnel will be dispatched to 12 winter maintenance districts to salt and plow 1,200 lane miles of roadways across Camden County. The county’s response plan calls for crews to be dispatched only to the zones where they are needed.
“If you don’t have to travel, please stay off the roads to give our crews the ability to effectively do their job. Anyone on the roadways during the storm should be prepared to encounter poor visibility and slick road conditions. Always leave at least six car lengths behind our DPW vehicles while they work, and move any cars off the street and into a driveway while we continue our operations,” Shin Angulo said. “Remember that it is illegal in New Jersey to plow or shovel snow from private property into roadways.”
In addition to treating and plowing county roadways, public works crews will be preparing a comprehensive tree removal operation to support our plows. In order for trucks to have access over the highways and byways of the county, there will be a strategic team removing trees. Nevertheless, if trees fall into the roadway and take down electrical lines the county will have to wait on the utility to power down the wires before they can start to work on them.
“Our chippers are fueled and hitched to trucks and chainsaws are fueled and ready in the event downed trees or limbs block county roadways.” Shin Angulo said. “Always remember to never approach downed wires, and report them to your local power company as soon as possible.”
In the event that the weather causes isolated power outages, please remember to immediately call your utility company so they can identify the location and coordinate crews to restore your power. Any storm has the potential to bring down trees and power lines, so residents need to be extra cognizant of any power failures. Below are numbers and contact info for the two power providers in Camden County:
- PSE&G: 1-800-436-PSEG (7734)
- PSEG website: http://pseg.com/home/customer_service/outage_info/index.jsp
- Atlantic City Electric: 1-800-833-7476
- Atlantic City Electric website: http://www.atlanticcityelectric.com/home/
- South Jersey Gas: 1-800-582-7060
- South Jersey Gas website: http://southjerseygas.com/
As always, please use 911 for emergencies only. If you see a problem on a county road, please call our 24-hour hotline at (856) 566-2980 to report it to DPW.
The Camden County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is closely monitoring the progress of the storm. The OEM has worked with each municipality to ensure they have the proper resources to respond to these severe weather situations as part of their individual Emergency Management plans.
“In these extreme weather conditions, please remember to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, or handicapped relatives and neighbors that live alone,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young, liaison to the Camden County OEM. “Remember to bring your pets indoors, and stock your home with enough food and medication you may need during the duration of the storm.”
Continue to check www.camdencounty.com through the storm for weather and road condition updates. Information will also be provided through Facebook and Twitter.