Code Blue Monday Night, Significant Snowfall Expected Tuesday and Wednesday in Collingswood

The Camden County Department of Public Works is preparing for significant snowfall that is expected to get into full swing on Tuesday, even as the county is under a Code Blue Advisory for Monday night.

“We are entering into a very active weather pattern that could have a major impact on our daily commutes and activities for the next few days, 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.”

A Code Blue Advisory is in effect from 6 p.m. Monday until 7 a.m. Tuesday.

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,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, 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

Snow was also expected to begin Monday night, and continue intermittently through Tuesday morning. Although no significant accumulation is expected during that time, some periodic ground coverings are possible, so drivers are advised to use caution.

The steadier snow accumulation will come from late Tuesday afternoon into early evening. That wave of snow is expected to deliver 4 to 8 inches of total accumulation to the area before ending Wednesday.

“In light of the smaller coastal storm that occurred last Friday our mechanics are working around the clock to ensure all of our equipment is on the road for the first snowflakes falling tonight,” Shin Angulo said. “Our crews will be working around the clock and prepared for the worst that is forecasted for Tuesday afternoon.”

At the public works complex in Lindenwold, more than 100 pieces of equipment stand 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.

“As always, when the weather turns hazardous we recommend that motorists remain cautious and give themselves extra time to reach their destinations,” Shin Angulo said. “Anyone on the roadways during these times should be prepared to encounter slick road conditions. Remember to 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 plowing operations.”

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. If you see a problem on a county road, call the 24-hour hotline at 856-566-2980 to report it to DPW.