Holmdel & Hazlet Prepare For Major Winter Storm: Latest Forecast, How To Prepare

HOLMDEL-HAZLET, NJ — Holmdel and Hazlet residents are urged to prepare for a major winter storm that could bring over a foot of snow, icy roads and dangerously cold temperatures to the Garden State over the weekend.

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, the storm is expected to impact the region from Saturday night through Monday morning.

In the Long Branch and greater Monmouth County area, forecasters are currently predicting around 12-18" of total snowfall.

On Friday afternoon, Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a State of Emergency in all 21 counties ahead of the storm, warning residents that this "is not an average storm."

• Read: Snow Total Projections Shift As Weekend Storm Arrives In NJ

Monmouth County is also under a Winter Storm Warning from Saturday night through Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.

“Heavy snow and some ice accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible,” the National Weather Service said in its Friday afternoon briefing. “Expect widespread road closures and significant delays on major interstates and highways.”

Alongside heavy snow and ice accumulation, forecasters are also warning that a combination of heavy snow, followed by sleet/freezing rain and breezy northeast winds, could result in some isolated instances of downed trees and power lines as well as power outages.

To see the National Weather Service’s full winter storm briefing from Friday afternoon, you can click here.

As of Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service's forecast for the Holmdel-Hazlet area is:

• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 19. Wind chill values as low as -7. Northwest wind 5-15 MPH.
• Saturday Night: Snow likely after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 14. Northeast wind 5-10 MPH. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch is possible.
• Sunday: Snow before 4 p.m., then snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 27. Blustery, with a northeast wind 10-20 MPH, with gusts as high as 30 MPH. The chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of 9-13 inches possible.
• Sunday Night: Snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain, becoming all snow after 4 a.m. Low around 25. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between half and three-quarters of an inch possible.
• Monday: Snow likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 8.

Ahead of the storm, Holmdel officials are advising residents to prepare early with the following steps:

• Move cars from the street as soon as possible before the storm as salting of roadways will begin before plowing of snow-covered roads
• Park vehicles in driveways to allow for curb-to-curb plowing
• Avoid shoveling or blowing snow into the street, be sure that anyone you hire for snow removal is also aware of this
• Shovel sidewalks and fire hydrants within 12 daylight hours after snowfall
• Bring recycling and trash containers away from the street and back to your house so that they don't interfere with snow plowing
• Walkway and driveway shoveling allows emergency services to access homes in the event of fire, illness, or other emergency

"Once the snowfall begins (expected Saturday evening), please avoid unnecessary travel on the roads during the storm, and observe caution if you do need to drive," township officials said.

The town is also reminding residents that, according to township ordinance, parking or extending a vehicle into public streets is prohibited when snow obscures the road and for 12 hours after snowfall ends; violations are subject to a $100 fine and vehicle removal at the owner's expense.

In Hazlet, officials are also reminding residents to keep snow removal and parking reminders in mind to help their DPW crews clear the roads safely and quickly:

“Let’s work together to keep our neighborhood safe and accessible for everyone!” township officials said. “Stay warm and stay safe, Hazlet.”

In the event of widespread power outages and/or the need for evacuations, the North Centerville Firehouse on Middle Road will be the reception center where residents can come to wait out the evacuation, the Hazlet Township Office of Emergency Management said in an online post.

"For prolonged evacuations, those at the Reception Center may be transported a Monmouth County Evacuation Center," officials said. "We URGE residents to go to a relative or friends house if possible before utilizing the Reception Center."

"The Hazlet Twp. Office of Emergency Management will be monitoring the storm and update the residents as needed."

For those without shelter, a “Code Blue” alert has been extended in Monmouth County until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

• Read: ‘Code Blue’ Alert Extended In Monmouth County: Where To Find Shelter

“Code Blue” is put in place when temperatures drop below freezing (32 F), and conditions pose a threat to unsheltered individuals.

If you or someone you know does not have shelter in Monmouth County, they can go to:

• Monmouth County Division of Social Services
• Hope and Comfort Center
• Mercy Center
• The Feast NJ, Women’s Heart Warming Center
• Trinity Episcopal Church
• Lunch Break Inc.
• Monmouth County Library – Manalapan
• Monmouth County Library – Shrewsbury

You can also get help by calling 2-1-1 or visiting the NJ211 website.