Summit Chief Says Snow Storm Brought 'Unanticipated Intensity'

SUMMIT, NJ - Highways were closed, cars abandoned, students stranded and fenders bent as the first snow storm of the season frayed nerves and quadrupled commutes throughout the state Thursday. Summit was not immune to the struggle and Police Chief Robert Weck has a message for residents: the season has just begun.

"While this is the first storm of the winter season, it will not be the last," Weck said in an email. "I encourage citizens to review storm readiness guidelines and to prepare an emergency kit for your home and car."

According to Weck, preparedness was not blame for the difficulty yesterday, as Summit officials were ready.

"While the Summit Police Department and Division of Public Works make extensive preparations before every storm, the intensity of the storm between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. was unanticipated for the northeastern New Jersey region," Weck said.

Weck said that sidewalks and parking decks were prepped for snow and freezing rain but plows were rendered ineffective by the intense gridlock that followed the end of the school day and early release by many area businesses.

"Stalled vehicles and motor vehicle crashes further impacted the ability of crews to plow city streets," Weck said. "The impact was felt in Summit and throughout the region."

Going forward, Weck asked that residents avoid all travel during snowstorms and said that by city ordinance vehicles left on city streets during a storm may be subject to ticketing and/or towing.

"Streets must be cleared to provide access for emergency vehicles and to fire hydrants, as well as to prevent flooding from snow-covered storm drains," Weck said. "If a vehicle has stalled or is stuck on the roadway, please call the Mountain Valley Emergency Communications Center, the dispatch non-emergency line for Summit at 908-273-0051. Information on disabled vehicles will be provided to the Summit Police Department."

Weck also said that he understood that Thursday's commute was trying, and he appreciated the patience of those who spent hours on the roads yesterday trying to get home.

"We thank you for your consideration and for doing your part to help keep our roadways safe," Weck said.

For more information visit ready.nj.gov/.

(Photo courtesy of the City of Summit)

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