A winter storm with the potential for significant snow accumulation is expected to move through the Cherry Hill area from tonight and continuing until early Sunday, Jan. 24.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the area. Strong wind gusts, poor visibility and hazardous road conditions are expected.
The Department of Public Works has pre-treated all local roads, and all resources are available and ready to work around-the-clock from the storm’s onset to clear and treat roads as conditions require.
The Cherry Hill Office of Emergency Management, Public Works and township administration will continue to monitor the forecast and will respond as needed as the winter storm moves through our area.
Any weather-related road restrictions, closings and cancellations will be updated on the Cherry Hill Township website and social media pages as soon as the information becomes available.
Below are a number of important tips and reminders that will help residents stay safe during the impending storm, and ensure our emergency crews can work as quickly and effectively as possible.
For specific questions or concerns about issues within Cherry Hill, please contact Emergency Management Coordinator Kevin Seta at (856) 432–8836 or [email protected].
As always, call 9–1–1 to report an emergency. Power outages must be reported directly to PSE&G at (800) 436–7734.
Please move all vehicles off the street to keep roads clear and allow better access for snow plows. Other impediments, including trash bins, recycling bins and basketball nets must also be kept out of the roadway.
If you don’t have to drive during the storm, you should stay home. Staying off the roads will help ensure your safety, and allow safe access for emergency personnel and road crews.
- Staying off the road will allow plows and emergency responders to operate quickly and effectively.
- If driving is essential, please be conscious of road crews. Stay clear of plows and allow ample space between yourself and other vehicles.
- Drive slowly and with extreme caution, and allow extra time to reach your destination.
Check on elderly and disabled friends, neighbors and family members who live alone, to ensure their health and safety during this storm. All residents should be prepared, and keep extra supplies on hand in the event that travel is prohibited, especially in the event of a power outage. You can visit www.Ready.gov for emergency preparedness tips. Supplies to keep in stock include:
- Water, one gallon per person per day, for at least three days
- Food, at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food
- Any necessary medications, at least a three-day supply
- A cell phone with chargers; a car charger is helpful in case of a power outage
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- A first-aid kid
- Manual can opener for food
Depending on the duration and amount of snowfall, township trucks may plow streets several times. As snow rolls off the plows, it sometimes accumulates in driveway aprons. Please understand that this is unavoidable and it is the homeowner’s responsibility to clear it. Here are some helpful hints to make snow removal less frustrating:
- Remove portable basketball nets and trash and recycling containers from the street in front of your house. Place them on the grass strip between the curb and your sidewalk.
- Do not park cars on the street from one hour after the snow has continuously fallen until 12 hours after the snow has stopped. This speeds the removal process and prevents cars from being plowed in.
- If possible, wait until the township trucks have made at least three passes on your street before cleaning your driveway.
- Do not shovel or blow snow into the street. Snow blowers should be adjusted so they blow snow toward your house.
- To ensure the safety of pedestrians, residents must remove snow from sidewalks following a snowfall. Please remember that children are walking to schools and bus stops all over town.
- Be sure to shovel around your mailbox and fire hydrants near your house for your safety and your neighbors’ safety.
Camden County offers a snow-removal service for seniors when snow totals more than four inches.
When snowfall stops, it can take an additional eight hours to complete the snow-removal operation. Public Works employees will be working continuously to provide the best possible service to residents, and to ensure roads are cleared as quickly and safely as possible.
The township’s Swift911 emergency notification system will keep you up-to-date on the latest storm updates and other important information as it becomes available. To enroll, visit www.CherryHill-NJ.com/Swift911.
Be sure to download the Swift911 Public App to have alerts delivered to your mobile device. Text Swift911 to 99538 to receive a download link. The app is available for iOS, Android and Windows phones.
In the event of a power outage, you must contact your utility provider directly so their repair crews can identify and respond to outages as quickly as possible.
In the event of a power outage, it is critical that residents report the outage directly to the utility company, to ensure a faster response by PSE&G.
Important township numbers to keep on hand
- Emergencies: Dial 9–1–1
- Police (non-emergency calls): (856) 665–1200
- Department of Public Works: (856) 424–4422
- Mayor’s Office: (856) 488–7878
Throughout this and any other significant weather event, the township works closely with the Office of Emergency Management, Public Works, Cherry Hill Police and the Cherry Hill Fire Department to provide residents with updated information as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Updates will be posted on the Cherry Hill Township website as well as on the Cherry Hill Township, Cherry Hill Police, and Cherry Hill Fire Department Facebook pages.
The Cherry Hill School District posts news about school closings and delays and other important information at www.chclc.org, as well as on the district’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Residents can also stay informed by signing up to receive e-mail alerts. Go to www.cherryhill-nj.com/list.aspx, enter your e-mail address, and select “Emergency Alerts,” “Mayor’s Briefings” and “Cherry Hill Headlines” to ensure you stay up-to-date on the most relevant information in any situation. A subscription confirmation will be sent to your e-mail address.
