Camden County Braces For Approaching Snow Storm

The Camden County Department of Public Works is taking an “all hands on deck” approach to an approaching nor’easter that threatens to dump 3 to 6 inches of snow on the region, Freeholder Susan Shin Angulo said on Tuesday.

“During the height of the storm, we could experience accumulation rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour,” Shin Angulo, liaison to the Camden County Department of Public Works, said. “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.”

On Tuesday night, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office announced it would be closed on Wednesday.

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.”

A strategic team will be in place removing trees to allow the Department of Public Works access over the highways and byways of the county. Nevertheless, if trees fall into the road 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.”

Residents should report any power outages directly to the appropriate utility provider list below:

• 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; http://www.atlanticcityelectric.com/home/
• South Jersey Gas: 1-800-582-7060
• South Jersey Gas website: http://southjerseygas.com/

As always, residents should use 911 for emergencies only. Anyone who sees a problem on a county road should call the county’s 24-hour hotline at 856-566-2980 to report it to the Department of Public Works.

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.”

Patch file photo