All Bridges to Philadelphia Reopened; Flood Warning in Effect in South Jersey

The Walt Whitman, Ben Franklin, and Betsy Ross bridges connecting Philadelphia and New Jersey have reopened with speed restrictions in both directions after a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain soaked the region on Sunday morning, according to 511nj.org.

The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge was also closed earlier, but reopened, according to 6 ABC.

A Flood Warning is in effect until 11:30 p.m. for northwest Camden County, northwestern Burlington County, northern Gloucester County and northern Salem County, the National Weather Service out of Mount Holly announced late Sunday morning.

Even as temperatures warmed up after subfreezing air hit the area Sunday morning, the wintry mix was expected to return Sunday night.

“As the rain begins, it is not out of the question for a brief period of icing to cause slick spots in the far northern and western suburbs of Philadelphia,” Accuweather said.

Temperatures will fall to 30 Sunday night, the NWS said, with winds of up to 11 mph.

“Overall, Sunday will be nasty with a cold northeasterly wind,” philly.com’s John Bolaris said.

Ice was causing problems throughout New Jersey and Philadelphia on Sunday. An accident involving more than two dozen cars on I-76 resulted in one death Sunday morning.

No less than 18 accidents were reported in Middlesex County, and police in Burlington County were investigating numerous minor accidents due to the continued icy road conditions.

Drivers are advised to use extreme caution if they must travel.

AAA offers the following tips for motorists who encounter black ice while driving:

• Be aware of and on the lookout for black ice. Pavement with black ice will be slightly darker and duller than the rest of the road surface; it commonly forms on highly shaded areas, infrequently traveled roads, bridges and overpasses.
• Use extreme caution on bridges and overpasses, which typically freeze first and melt last. Even if the roadway leading up to a bridge appears to be fine, use caution as the bridge itself could be covered in a sheet of ice.
• Never use cruise control.
• Avoid unnecessarily changing lanes, which increases your chances of hitting a patch of ice between lanes that could cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
• Drive, turn and brake slowly, adjusting speed to road conditions and leaving ample stopping room (three times more than usual) and watching for brake lights, fishtailing or sideways cars and emergency flashers.
• Avoid braking on ice. If you approach a patch of ice, try to brake in advance and control the skid by easing off the accelerator and steering in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
• If you have antilock brakes, do not pump the pedal; the vibrations and pulsating against your foot when you press down are the system working. For drivers without antilock brakes, use “threshold braking,” keeping your heel on the floor and using the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the pedal to the “threshold” of locking your brakes; removing your heel from the floor could cause your brakes to lock.
• Use your low-beam headlights.
• Remember, four-wheel drive doesn’t help you stop any faster.
• Keep a winter-weather kit in your car, containing an ice scraper, blanket, flashlight with extra batteries, bag of kitty litter, shovel and charged cell phone, as well as reflective triangles or flares, cloth or paper towels and jumper cables.

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