Hudson County municipalities are preparing for the worst in anticipation of the first winter storm of the season, with residents urged to stay home unless travel is absolutely essential with potentially up to a foot of snow on the way in the next 24 hours or so.
#HudsonCounty municipalities say they’re ready for the worst ahead of the first winter storm of the season.
Video shot inside #JerseyCityDPW this morning. @Bayonne_OEM @HobokenOEM @HudCoNJOEM
FULL STORY: https://t.co/Fv5qEIjdJt pic.twitter.com/Kl3NMjKB62
— Hudson County View (@HudsonCoView) December 16, 2020
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said at a press conference this morning that the city’s storm preps began on Tuesday, when they began treating the streets for snow and other expected winter weather – which hasn’t been necessary in about two years.
“We think we’re situated in a good place: we have 75 pieces of [Department of Public Works] equipment that are working or actively ready to engage and we have 6,500 tons of rock salt ready to deploy at four depos throughout the city,” he said.
W. Greg Kierce, the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security director, added that they are anticipating around four to eight inches of snow at this time, but indicated that the municipal government is ready to deal with up to two feet if necessary.
“Moving forward, the one thing we have to reinforce is the cooperation of the public, which is critical: not parking close to intersections so trucks can make the turns,” Kierce added, also asking residents not to shovel snow into the street, even when shoveling their cars out.
Additionally, Jersey City parking regulations are suspended as of 3 p.m. this afternoon and street sweeping is suspended for Thursday. Enforcement will remain in effect for no parking areas such as blocking corners and double parking.
Minutes before that press conference began this morning, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued a state of emergency, effective as of 2 p.m. in an effort to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles. As a result, state offices closed at 1 p.m.
In neighboring Bayonne, city officials released specific parking guidelines last night in anticipation of the storm.
No parking will be allowed on the East side of Broadway from 5th Street to 48th Street from 3:00 p.m. this afternoon through 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Residents are also asked to observe the No Parking signs that will be posted in front of City Hall and Shop Rite on Avenue C. No parking will be allowed in these areas for the same 24-hour time frame.
Furthermore, the City of Hoboken released a Nixle alert that laid out their nine emergency snow routes, as well as discounted parking options at Garage B and Garage D.
As for North Hudson, West New York has cancelled street sweeper and metered parking as of 3 p.m., though residential parking regulations remain in effect, municipal offices and parks are closed, and garbage pick up is cancelled until Friday.
“I strongly encourage our residents to take all precautions necessary to ensure they remain safe during this winter storm,” Mayor Gabriel Rodriguez said in a statement.
“As we have done in the past, our administration will continue to monitor the storm and continue working with local and state partners as well as PSE&G to ensure impact on our residents is minimal.”
Finally, in North Bergen, Mayor Nick Sacco said their DPW is ready to go with 15 pieces of heavy equipment, 4,500 tons of salt, and 30 employees, while all parking regulations will be suspended until Monday.
“We are closely monitoring the weather forecast for today and tomorrow. If the predictions hold and our area gets hit by the storm, our Department of Public Works will be ready to clear the roads and make them safe for our residents,” Sacco said in his own statement.
