Camden County is diligently monitoring the developments of a forthcoming nor’easter that has all of the important elements threatening to deliver a significant amount of snow to our region starting on Friday night. Preparations are already underway to respond to the inclement conditions that could be created by the approaching storm.
“The storm track is showing a big storm, but that could change. In the interim and in anticipation of the worst the department is working to fine tune its operation and get ready for a storm that could deliver of up to two feet of snow. Right now if nothing changes the storm will be hitting the area Friday evening and continuing into Sunday morning,” said Freeholder Susan Shin Angulo, liaison to the Camden County DPW. “Our public works employees will be on the job to keep roadways clear and have already been applying brine solution to the county roads in these frigid temperatures.”
As it stands a developing nor’easter will approach the region Friday night bringing snow and a possible rain mix into Saturday morning. Strong winds will accompany the storm from 20 to 45 miles per hour and snow will continue into Saturday night. Snow will taper off on Sunday and at this point in time accumulation amounts are undetermined based on the storm track.
At the public works complex in Lindenwold, more than 90 pieces of equipment stand ready to clear county roadways. If the weather becomes treacherous personnel will be dispatched to 12 winter maintenance districts to address salt and plow 1,200 lane miles of roadways across Camden County. The county’s response plan calls for crews to be dispatched only to the zones where they are needed.
In light of the high winds and heavy snow, crews will ensure all chainsaws and chippers are tuned up for the nor’easter for tree removal operations. Also, all mechanics will be called in to make sure plows and trucks stay on the road during the duration of the storm.
“As always, when the weather turns hazardous we recommend that motorists remain cautious and give themselves extra time to reach their destinations,” Shin Angulo said. “Anyone on the roadways during these times should be prepared to encounter slick road conditions. Remember to leave at least six car lengths behind our DPW vehicles while they work, and move any cars off the street and into a driveway while we continue our plowing operations. Remember that it is illegal in New Jersey to plow or shovel snow from private property into roadways.”
