East Orange, NJ, January 3, 2018: City of East Orange officials are encouraging residents to exercise caution and adhere to all no parking rules in anticipation of the area's first snowfall of 2018. Forecasters are predicting a storm that could dump anywhere from 2 to 7 inches of snow in parts of New Jersey starting Wednesday night and well into Thursday morning's commute with bitter to dangerous cold possible for Friday into Saturday. Subzero windchills of -15 to -25 degrees are expected by early Saturday morning.
**Reverse 9-1-1 calls from both the City of East Orange and the East Orange Board of Education will provide updates on school closings and emergency alerts. Please check your messages.**
“Although our area is not expected to receive a large amount of snow, we are proactively preparing for the worst case scenario so we can best handle whatever weather comes our way,” said Mayor Ted R. Green. “I urge all residents to follow all parking rules so we can keep our roads safe and clear for emergency personnel and those who have to travel throughout our city. As the weather becomes increasingly more frigid, please be sure to check on our elderly and assist them in any way you can.”
Code Blue
Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr. and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura announced that Essex County’s “Code Blue” procedures are in effect. A list of available warming shelters in Essex County is available on www.nj211.org or by dialing 2-1-1.
Overnight parking rules will be strictly enforced. Free parking will be available in the lot at 20/30 Evergreen Place if needed.
As the storm progresses, residents are asked NOT to shovel snow into the street. Residents and business owners are encouraged to remove snow from fire hydrants located in front of their residences or businesses. Plowing will begin when snow depths reach two inches and freezing temperatures indicate no melting.
NOTE: The only way to avoid additional snow removal is to wait until DPW work crews have completed their final clean-up of your road.
- Most streets will require three or four passes, while others may require as few as two passes, or, as many as five passes.
- Essex County Public Works has designated workers to ensure that all county roadways are accessible for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
The following East Orange streets are Essex County Roads:
- South Orange Ave
- Central Avenue
- Park Avenue
- North/South Grove St
- Sanford Street
The City of East Orange does not provide snow removal services to private property – residential or commercial.
Snow Emergencies
For downed wires or power outages, call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG. To report snow emergencies, call the Department of Public Works at 973-266-5330. Tenants without heat or hot water may call the Department of Property Maintenance at 973-266-5320 for assistance.
Safety Tips
- Park cars in private driveways or secure them on off-street lots.
- Share driveway space or garage with neighbors
- If you must venture out, car pool or use mass transit
- Equip vehicles with snow tires or chains
- Be aware of parking restrictions when road is snow covered
- Shovel snow onto your own property
- Shovel snow away from fire hydrants near your property
- DO NOT shovel snow into the street
- DO NOT park on the street, if possible
- DO NOT shovel snow on top of fire hydrants
- DO NOT shovel snow onto storm sewers
Important Telephone Numbers
- East Orange Public Works Department
- East Orange Police Department
- East Orange Fire Department
- East Orange Office of Emergency Management
- Emergency
- PSE&G
- Emergency PSE&G
- East Orange Property Maintenance/No Heat Hotline
- New Jersey Transit
- Sewer & Water Emergency
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