Code Blue Advisory as Collingswood Prepares for Snow

As a surprising snowstorm approaches the region, Camden County is preparing for up to 3 inches of snow.

“We could see up to 3 inches of snow on the ground by morning which will impact the morning commute, so please plan accordingly,” Camden County Freeholder Susan Shin Angulo, liaison to the Camden County Department of Public Works said. “Our public works employees will be on the job to keep roadways passible, but we need everyone to remain extra cautious behind the wheel. Our equipment is prepped and trucks are loaded with product to address any and all situations that may arise.”

While 3 inches of snow is expected for much of the county, the communities closer to Atlantic County may see more. The Camden County Department of Public Works has more than 100 pieces of equipment ready to keep county roadways passable and motorists moving.

If the weather becomes treacherous personnel will be dispatched to 12 winter maintenance districts to address salt and plow 1,400 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.

The county is also under a Code Blue Health Advisory, effective from 6 p.m. Thursday night until 7 a.m. Friday morning.

“If you must leave the house, please dress yourself and your children in warm clothing, hats and gloves,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, said. “Also, please remember to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and bring your pets indoors.”

When the Camden County Health Officer declares a Severe Weather Emergency, municipalities with homeless populations, situational homeless or transient populations are expected to activate their Code Blue response plan to accommodate their immediate needs.

“During these weather emergencies, we encourage everyone to check on elderly or handicapped relatives and neighbors that live alone,” Rodriguez said. “It is important that most vulnerable among us are not left without heat or electricity.”

In Collingswood, warming centers can be found at the following locations:

• Collingswood Borough Municipal Building, 678 Haddon Avenue;
• Collingswood Fire House, 20 West Collings Avenue;
• Collingswood Library, 771 Haddon Avenue; and
• Collingswood Senior Center, 30 West Collings Avenue

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. This storm has the potential to bring down trees and power lines 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, use 911 for emergencies only. Anyone who sees a problem on a county road is asked to call the 24-hour hotline at 856-566-2980 to report it to DPW.