Ocean County Prepared To Plow 1,600 Lane Miles Of Roads

Toms River NJ

28 January, 2022

1:30 PM

Description

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — With a blizzard warning in effect for Ocean County and predictions of up to 18 inches of snow along the coastline, Ocean County officials say they are ready for the impending storm. A blizzard warning is in effect for Ocean County (and four other counties) from 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service said. Snow accumulations along the coast are predicted to be 12 to 18 inches, with winds gusting as high as 50 mph. "Travel could be very difficult to impossible," the National Weather Service said. "Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches." Gov. Phil Murphy issued a declaration of a state of emergency starting at 5 p.m. and authorities at all levels of government from state level to local towns are urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary during the storm. "Being on the roads during this kind of forecasted storm when it's not necessary puts you in harms' way along with our road crews, police and emergency responders that have to be out," Commissioner Jack Kelly said. Ocean County has about 200 trucks and other vehicles ready to salt and clear the roads during the storm. The county has more than 1,600 lane miles to clear, Kelly said. "We started brining our roads Thursday morning," said Scott Waters, supervisor of the county's Road Department Supervisor. "Once the snow starts, we will put down salt and follow with plowing. We anticipate working throughout the night and during the duration of the storm until all county roads are plowed." The Ocean County Office of Emergency Management recommends the following for during the storm: Stay inside.Close off unoccupied rooms in the home.DO NOT use charcoal-burning devices.Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Remove layers as needed to avoid overheating, perspiration and subsequent chill.Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55 degrees.Allow a slow trickle of water to flow from both the hot and cold water faucets, especially if the faucet is on an exterior wall.Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes and appliances near exterior walls.Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and eat high-calorie foods.Do not drive unless the roads have been cleared by snowplows. If you need transportation for a critical medical treatment or a critical prescription filled, call the Ocean County Sheriff's Department, Office of Emergency Management at (732) 341-3451 or toll free (800) 331-8152. The county is prepared with 30,000 tons of treated salt. The county uses salt treated with calcium chloride which does a better job when clearing snow and ice. Once enough snow falls to warrant plowing, the first of the county roads to be cleared are the 500 series, which includes such main roads as Hooper Avenue in Toms River Township, and Route 571, which travels through Toms River Township to Jackson Township. In Southern Ocean County, those roads include Route 539. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters here, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email [email protected] Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.