K-9 Enjoys Snowfall; Police Provide Driving Tips In South Jersey

Gloucester Township police have posted pics of Officer Przeworski and K-9 Sarge enjoying the first snowfall of 2019. The pics can be seen in the embed below.

"Most roads have a coating of snow on them. Main roads are melting and are wet. Slippery conditions exist," police said Sunday morning. "Use caution if you go out today and take your time."

As of noon, the Camden County Department of Public Works has been out working and reduced 90 percent of the roads in the county back to blacktop, according to county officials.

“Parts of our county could see up to 3” of snowfall before the storm is expected to end around 4p.m. so we will continue with this operation throughout the afternoon and into the evening to keep county roadways passable,” Camden County Freeholder Susan Shin Angulo, liaison to the Department of Public Works, said.

Temperatures on Sunday remained in the mid to upper 20s, enabling untreated surfaces to become snow-covered, officials said. By the time snow is finished falling, the southern portion of the county could see 3 to 4 inches of snow.

The end time still remains uncertain as a gradual tapering takes place this afternoon, according to officials. A coastal low developing to the south could bring a few more areas of light snow Sunday evening and early Sunday night.

Since the storm began, 90 pieces of equipment and 100 employees have been deployed from the Public Works complex in Lindenwold to Camden County’s 12 winter maintenance districts. 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 should be prepared to encounter slick road conditions and poor visibility. 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 plowing operations,” Shin Angulo said. “Remember that it is illegal in New Jersey to plow or shovel snow from private property into roadways.”

Police also provided the following driving tips for those who must leave the house:

Avoid driving during a winter storm unless it’s necessary. Blowing snow, icy slick spots and fewer daylight hours all create hazards. If you must drive, use this information for a safe trip.

Winterize your vehicle

• Get a Kit - create an emergency kit for your car. Add cell phone and car charger, road maps, a shovel, windshield scraper, tow rope, booster cables, bright cloth to use as flag or distress signal, a bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter to place under tires if stuck in the snow.
• Make a Plan - Fill your car’s gas tank and know where you can refuel on your way. Tell someone your travel plans: where you are going, planned route and expected arrival time. Call that person when you arrive at your destination.

Stay Informed.

On The Road

• Buckle up - secure yourself and all passengers.
• Brake properly to avoid skidding. If driving on snow or ice, start slowly and brake gently. Begin braking early when you come to an intersection.
• If you start to slide: ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction of the skid until you regain traction then straighten your vehicle. If you have antilock brakes, apply steady pressure.

Expect decreased visibility
In fog, drive with headlights set on dim or use fog lights. In rain, fog, snow or sleet, stay within the limits of your vision. Pull off the road and stop if you can’t see clearly.

Slow down

• Physically and mentally prepare to react quickly.
• Drive slowly and increase your following distance. Adjust your speed for conditions. Match the flow of traffic.
• Watch for slick spots.
• Watch out for other vehicles:
• Never try to pass a vehicle in blowing snow because there may be vehicles ahead you cannot see.
• Watch for snowplows. When a plow is coming toward you, allow plenty of room for it to pass. Its blade may cross the center line.

Additionally, Cherry Hill police reminded drivers to remove ice and snow before hitting the road.

"Our officers are out on the roadways looking for violators of this important safety law," police said. "Take the extra time before you head out this morning to clean off your car. Dislodged snow and ice can cause property damage or injury to others. Please be safe in your travels and think of other motorists."

In the event that the weather causes isolated power outages, remember to immediately call your utility company, so they can identify the location and coordinate crews to restore 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; http://www.atlanticcityelectric.com/home/
• South Jersey Gas: 1-800-582-7060
• South Jersey Gas website: http://southjerseygas.com/

As always, please 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.

Do you have any photos from the first snow of 2019 that you'd like to share? Send them to anthony.bellano@patch.com and we'll post them here.

Main image provided by the Gloucester Township Police Department.