Basking Ridge Snow Updates: Many Roads Impassable

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — As predicted, heavy snow has moved into the area. The snow has covered roads and is only expected to continue for several hours. Forecasters say since it is a heavy, wet snow, it could cause widespread power outages just days after Friday's storm knocked out electricity for thousands.

Here are the latest impacts the storm is having in the Basking Ridge area:

• As of 8:45 p.m., "Today's snow storm has brought numerous trees and power lines down. Bernards Township Police and Emergency Services experienced and extremely high call volume late this afternoon as the storm intensified. The number of power outages has significantly increased despite the progress JCP&L had been making. In addition, numerous municipal and county roads are impassable and/or have been closed due to downed trees and power lines to include Mt. Airy, Lyons West Oak and Mountain. DPW crews are unable to plow certain areas because of the downed power lines. They will be working throughout the night to clear roads as best as possible. JCP&L is reporting that, for the safety of their workers, they have ceased work until the weather is more favorable except for life and limb emergencies. They are getting more outages from today’s snow storm and will work to restore customers from the first storm before today’s except where safety dictates. Their current outage counts do not necessarily reflect the work done today and also reflect ongoing current outages. All township schools will be closed tomorrow. PLEASE DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 UNLESS YOU HAVE A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY. THE EMERGENCY PHONE LINES ARE BEING OVERWHELMED AFFECTING THE ABILITY FOR SERIOUS CALL TO GET THROUGH. NEVER GO NEAR ANY DOWNED POWER LINES. TREAT ALL UTILITY LINES AS IF THEY WERE ENERGIZED. PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROADS IF POSSIBLE. ROADWAY TRAVEL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND HINDERS THE ABILITY TO CLEAR THE ROADS. PLEASE CHECK ON NEIGHBORS THAT ARE ELDERLY OR NON-MOBILE"
• As of 7 p.m., Hillcrest Road, Watchung Avenue, Somerset Street, Mountain Boulevard, Bonnie Burn Road, Hill Hollow, Johnston Drive, Stirling Road, Drift Road and Ridge Road are all closed in Watchung.
• As of 6 p.m., Wires down with associated power outages in Fairview Drive and Bellgrove Court areas;
  Police are investigating traffic light out/power outage issue in the area of N. Maple Avenue/ Maple Run; DPW plow crew will remain throughout the duration of the storm; Crews currently working to remove tree across roadway Mt. Airy south of Canter.
• As of 4:50 p.m.: Wires down with associated power outages in Fairview Drive and Bellgrove Court areas; Police are investigating traffic light out/power outage issue in the area of N. Maple Avenue/ Maple Run; DPW plow crew will remain throughout the duration of the storm; Crews currently working to remove tree across roadway Mt. Airy south of Canter; PLEASE REFRAIN FROM TRAVELING ON ROADWAYS UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY: Police.
• As of 4:49 p.m., Rt. 22 West is closed at Vosseller Avenue in Bridgewater and Rt. 202/206 South at Allen Road is closed due to trees across the roadway.
• As of 4:49 p.m., 4,975 Somerset County residents are without power including 1,096 in Basking Ridge, according to JCP&L. PSE&G is also reporting 2,218 county residents without power.
• As of 3:50 p.m., there's a downed tree on I-287 southbound ramp to Exit 12 - CR 623 in Franklin Twp. Partial ramp closed.
  As of 3:48 p.m., there's a downed tree on I-78 westbound Exit 26 - CR 665/Rattlesnake Bridge Rd in Bedminster Twp. 1 lane blocked.
• As of 3:45 p.m., outages in Somerset County have grown to 625 PSE&G customers and 2,140 JCP&l customers.
• County Route 533 (River Rd) in Montgomery is closed between Dead Tree and Bridgepoint. Township Line Road closed between Willow and Belle Glades, as of 3:45 p.m.
• Avoid the Washington Avenue/Route 22 intersection in Green Brook due to non functioning traffic signal. Motorists will not be able to cross the highway, police reported as of 3:45 p.m.
• Rock Road East is closed in Green Brook between Rock Road West and Kappleman Drive due to a tree and electrical wires down, police reported as of 3:40 p.m.
• Orchard Road in Montgomery is closed between Burnt Hill and Opossum due to a low hanging wire, as of 3:22 p.m.
• Service is suspended on all NJ TRANSIT bus routes after 4:30 p.m. Cross-honoring is in effect for rail, bus and private carriers and light rail service Wednesday.
• As of 3:13 p.m., there are delays on I-287 southbound between South of Exit 21 - I-78 in Bedminster Twp and US 202 in Bridgewater Twp delays due to weather.
• As of 3:07 p.m., there's a disabled vehicle on I-287 southbound area of Exit 14 - US 22 in Bridgewater Twp. Right lane closed.
• 622 Basking Ridge residents are without power as of 3:04 p.m. with restoration expected by 11:30 p.m. Thursday, according to JCP&L.
• As of 1:56 p.m., there's a vehicle off the roadway on I-287 southbound North of Exit 22 - US 202 in Far Hills. Right shoulder closed, according to nj511.org.
• As of 1:30 p.m., there's a disabled tractor trailer on I-78 eastbound East of Exit 33 - CR 525/Liberty Corner Rd/Martinsville in Warren Twp. Right lane and shoulder closed, according to nj511.org.
• Hillcrest Road in Watchung and Warrenville Road and Washington Avenue Hills north of Route 22 in Green Brook are all closed due hazardous road conditions as of 1 p.m.
• Mt. Bethel Road between Mountain Boulevard and Mt. Horeb is closed in Warren as of 2:17 p.m.
• Township offices and township schools are closed.
• All Somerset County offices are closed Wednesday due to inclement weather. The county's public transit is running Wednesday morning, but delays and/or cancellations of routes may occur as the storm progresses. Drivers will attempt to provide scheduled transportation to medical appointments as long as conditions permit.
• All of the centers serviced by county transportation, including all dialysis centers, are closed.
• The senior centers operated by the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services are closed: Hillsborough, Montgomery, Quail Brook, Warrenbrook and the Senior Wellness Centers in Bernards and Bridgewater.
• There will be no Meals on Wheels deliveries Wednesday. Clients are asked to use non-perishable meals sent out earlier in the season. If clients do not have frozen meals, or if they have lost power, they can use Heater Meals, shelf-stable meals that come in an orange box. Directions for heating are on the box. Heater Meals are not intended for use in a microwave oven.
• The Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center in Bridgewater is closed. For psychiatric emergencies, call Bridgeway Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services (PESS) at 908-526-4100. If you have an appointment on Thursday call the center at 908-725-2800 to confirm that your provider will be available.
• Municipalities in Somerset County are offering warming centers at various locations during regular business hours on Wednesday and beyond as needed. For a list of warming centers click here.

Check back to this page for more local updates on the storm's impact.

(Image by Jason Hutchings: Ridge High School.)

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