N.J. Blizzard : Berkeley Escapes Any Major Flooding, Damage Mayor Says

by Patricia A. Miller

It’s called dodging the bullet.

Superstorm-Sandy battered Berkeley weathered the three high tides from the blizzard without any major flooding in any areas that are usually inundated, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said Sunday.

However, Bayview Avenue was “impassable” after the last high tide and Sloop Creek Road and Maple Drive were flooded, the mayor said.

Only 68 households are without power throughout the township, he said.

Berkeley had more than 18 inches of snow in some areas. The combination of rain and sleet at times made the snow very heavy, Amato said.

“Our plows and loaders for safety reasons had to go slow,” he said. “The weight of the snow also caused many equipment breakdowns. ”It’s taking a little longer to clear our 180 miles of township-owned roadways.”

Public works employees have worked around the clock.

“They are doing the best job they can under the circumstances,” Amato said.

Earlier reports from Saturday:

Eight inches and counting.

That’s how much snow has fallen so far in Berkeley Township with more expected before the storm finally tapers off early Sunday, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

Snow plowing is moving along but the heavy wet now is creating some issues, he said.

“I’ve been around this morning checking the roads and on the tides,” Amato said. “We have had some minor flooding. Let’s hope the next high tides are good.

Public employees are trying to keep up with the heavy, wet snowfall but it will take time to get to all roadways in the township, he said.

Jersey Central Power & Light is reporting scattered power outages throughout the township, including the Glven Cove section of Bayville and South Seaside park, according to the police department Facebook page.

The Tri-Boro First Aid building has been designated as a warming station for Berkeley residents in South Seaside Park and Pelican Island. Berkeley officials recommended voluntary evacuations in the waterfront sections of town on Friday, including all areas east of Bayview Avenue, Pelican Island and South Seaside Park.

Residents should stay off the roads. Dialysis patients who need a ride should call the Office of Emergency Management.

All vehicles must be off municipal streets so plowing can continue through the day and night. Residents in low-lying areas can park in the lot at the Central Regional Middle School in Bayville.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department is advising motorists to stay off roads throughout the county.

Cancellations:

Central Regional school district: all weekend activities have been cancelled. That includes the Central Regional Middle School production of “Annie.” The play will be rescheduled for next weekend. Ice hockey and swimming will also be rescheduled as well.

St. Barnabas R.C. Church in Bayville: All masses and activities are cancelled for the weekend.

CLOSINGS

The Ocean County Mall is closed Saturday.

Freehold Raceway Mall is closed Saturday.

Ocean County College is closed Saturday and Sunday.

Stockton University has closed its campuses Saturday and Sunday.

Monmouth University is closed Saturday and Sunday.

Brookdale Community College is closed Saturday and Sunday.

Berkeley Patch will post more information as soon as it becomes available.

Photo credits: Good Luck Point, Sloop Creek Road in Bayville. Berkeley Township Police Department