Monday: Howell Blizzard Updates, Closures

HOWELL, NJ -- Continuing coverage of this weekend’s blizzard -- with important updates on closings, power restoration and other information -- will be posted here.

CLOSURES/CANCELATIONS

Howell Township Schools are closed on Monday.

The Freehold Regional High School District is closed on Monday.

The Monmouth County Vocational Schools -- Academy of Allied Health Sciences, Communications High, High Tech High, Biotechnology High School, Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Academy of Law and Public Safety, and CLASS Academy -- are closed Monday.

St. John Vianney High School is closed on Monday.

St. Rose High School is closed on Monday

Brookdale Community College is closed on Monday

Georgian Court University is closed on Monday.

Monmouth University is closed on Monday.

Sunday update:

The blizzard that brought severe flooding to the southern part of the state walloped Howell with 26.5 inches of snow -- put it in the top 10 highest snow totals in the state.

Saturday update:

Saturday’s blizzard has driven most creatures -- especially humans -- inside for the duration.

Not this horse in Howell.

Her owner, Nadia Tsettos Gregory, shared this video of what happened when she let the mare out of her stall for a bit as flakes continued to fall. “ Called her back to her stall... Totally dissed me,” Nadia wrote.

Howell Township officials and the school district have announced postponements and cancellations.

If you need information, check this article; we will be posting updates and information here regularly.

As of 6 p.m. Saturday:

More than 2 feet of snow has fallen in much of Howell and throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties, and is still falling at this hour.

In addition to the statewide state of emergency declared by Gov. Chris Christie, Howell Township and Farmingdale officials declared local states of emergency and banned travel.

“The movement of all vehicular traffic throughout the Township of Howell and Borough of Farmingdale is PROHIBITED until the termination of the emergency. Furthermore, all vehicles left abandoned on the streets, highway and public roadways, or unable to continue due to conditions of the emergency will be towed away at the expense of the vehicle’s owner.”

The Department of Public Works is working around the clock, officials said, to clear all the township’s roads. During this time, crews are clearing primary roads and will respond with emergency services if needed.

“As this storm system has and will continue to deposit a significant amount of snowfall, the cleanup process may last until the Monday morning commute,” officials said. “After the snowfall has ceased, the Department of Public Works will have a better assessment as to the timeframe in which the cleanup will be complete. Your patience and cooperation with the travel ban is greatly appreciated.”

Police Chief Andrew Kudrick urged residents to not call 9-1-1 about issues with plowing but to limit those calls to true emergency situations.

CANCELLATIONS

The SAT test administration scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23, at Howell, Freehold, Freehold Township and Marlboro high schools in the Freehold Regional High School District, as well as one at Brick Memorial High School, have been canceled and are rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20.

CLOSINGS

Freehold Raceway Mall is closed.

Ocean County College is closed.

Monmouth University is closed.

Brookdale Community College is closed.

REMINDERS/TIPS

Residents are reminded to remove all vehicles and sports equipment from the roads so plows can clear roads efficiently. A complete list of roads that Howell Township is responsible for plowing is available here.

Residents are reminded to assist by removing snow from fire hydrants and storm drains during winter weather.