Camden County Battles Storm as Code Blue Takes Effect

As snow falls across Camden County, the Camden County Department of Public Works is out clearing 1,200 miles of roads in preparation for more snow Monday night.

More than 80 pieces of equipment and 100 employees were deployed from the Public Works complex in Lindenwold to the 12 winter maintenance districts Monday morning in anticipation of the storm, the County said Monday afternoon.

“Starting from storm preparations in the early morning hours, county personnel are continuing to treat roads and are prepared to plow any accumulation that takes place,” Camden County Freeholder Ian Leonard, liaison to the Camden County Department of Public Works, said. “This is a full scale operation with all equipment and manpower mobilized to keep Camden County motorists moving and streets clear during the rush hour surge.”

The current forecast calls for 6-10 inches of snow across the county. A storm that began as snow flurries will intensify until it reaches the rate of an inch per hour.

Strong winds will result in lowered visibility and drifting snow. The weather system is expected to continue to impact the area through the day tomorrow before it winds down Tuesday night.

As of 4:30 Monday afternoon, the footwalk was closed in both directions on the Ben Franklin Bridge. The speed limit was reduced to 35 mph in both directions between Camden and Philadelphia.

The speed limit on the Walt Whitman Bridge was reduced to 35 mph in both directions between Gloucester City and Philadelphia.

The speed limit on the Betsy Ross Bridge is reduced to 35 mph between Pennsauken and Philadelphia.

County offices will be closed on Tuesday. Residents are asked to plan any business they had with the county accordingly.

A Code Blue is also in effect for the next two nights.

The Health Officer issued the Code Blue advisory for Camden County effective from 6 p.m. on Jan. 26 through 7 a.m. on Jan. 27, and from 6 p.m. Jan. 27 through 7 a.m. Jan 28.

“We are experiencing a major winter storm bringing wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour and overnight temperatures in the low 20’s. We need everyone to be sheltered and out of the elements during this severe weather,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, said.. “Before leaving the house, please dress yourself and your children in warm clothing, hats and gloves. 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.

The Camden County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management have worked with each municipality to ensure they have the proper resources to respond to these severe weather situations as part of their individual Code Blue plans. Each municipality has identified its own location to accommodate those in their community seeking shelter from the severe weather.

“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.”

Persons seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality.

Due to the possibility of strong winds, the Department of Public Works is preparing tree removal equipment.

Chainsaws will be serviced and trucks ready to go out if a tree is blocking a county roadway.

“The general public should stay off the roads as this storm starts to pick up steam later on tonight into tomorrow. I can’t repeat that enough, if you can stay home please do,” Leonard said. “Anyone on the roadways tomorrow should be prepared to encounter adverse road conditions. In addition, please be conscious of DPW trucks as they work to treat and clear our highway system. Motorists that have to be on the road should be at least six car lengths behind our vehicles while they work.”

The Freeholder Board also offers assistance to senior citizens and disabled residents who are unable to remove significant amounts of snow accumulation from their properties.

“The snow removal program is available to help seniors and disabled individuals get out of their homes for necessities such as prescriptions or medical appointments,” said Freeholder Michelle Gentek, liaison to the Camden County Department of Corrections. “The program uses jail inmates who are carefully screened, non-violent offenders who are guarded at all times on the job site by corrections officers.”

• The Snow Removal Program will go into effect only after four inches of snow have fallen on the ground in our area.
• At-risk senior and disabled residents can contact the Camden County Division of Emergency Management at (856) 783-4808 ext. 5060, from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Calls for snow removal will not be taken until after it has stopped snowing.
• Work Crews will be dispatched only after it has stopped snowing. The work crews will remove snow only during daylight hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Crews will respond to calls in the order they are received and will service as many residents as possible each day. There are no guaranteed times when the crews will arrive at a residence.
• Senior and Disabled residents must call after each substantial snowfall to request this service.

The Department of Corrections will supply the needed equipment. The program does not supply salt or ice-melting chemicals, but crews will dispense them if supplied by residents. Contact and conversation between the inmates and the public are prohibited. Gratuities and gifts or money, food, drink or any other item is strictly prohibited.

In case of a power outage please report it 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
• Atlantic City Electric website: http://www.atlanticcityelectric.com/home/
• South Jersey Gas: 1-800-582-7060
• South Jersey Gas website: http://southjerseygas.com/