Weather
Warming Center Opening In Manchester As Blizzard Impact Continues
Power outages were persisting, prompting the opening of the warming center, officials said.
MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township officials are opening a warming center in the Whiting section on Monday as residents remain without electricity due to the blizzard.
More than 5,000 homes and businesses were without power in Manchester as of 4:15 p.m. Monday, a number that has risen since the morning due to snow breaking branches and bringing down power lines and utility poles, according to Jersey Central Power & Light.
The warming shelter at the Whiting EMS Annex, 82 Lacey Road, is set to open at 6 p.m., police said.
Find out what's happening in Manchesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"The shelter will provide warmth and access to electricity and will be staffed by emergency personnel to ensure the safety and well-being of those utilizing the facility," police said. "If you or someone you know is still without power and in need of a warm place to go, please take advantage of this resource. Please share this information with anyone who may be affected."
The blizzard also has prompted the Manchester Township Schools to close for a second straight day.
Find out what's happening in Manchesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Whiting area saw 20 inches of snow as of 9 a.m., according to the National Weather Service, one of the highest totals in Ocean County and in the state.
The snow was tapering off Monday afternoon, and a blizzard warning is set to end at 6 p.m., according to the weather service. Some areas of the state have received more than 2 feet of snow. Read more: Blizzard Blasts NJ With 2 Feet Of Snow (So Far): See Totals
Jersey Central Power & Light was not giving time estimates on when power will be restored as more than 19,000 customers were out across Ocean County, but the company had brought in crews from outside the state to assist with power restoration.
Manchester Township officials canceled Monday's Township Council meeting and town hall was closed due to the storm.
Police were urging residents to avoid calling 911 for anything except emergencies.
Multiple trees were down across the township, according to scanner reports.
(Share your photos of the snow in Manchester for publication in Patch. Email them to karen.wall@patch.com.)
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