Monroe, Cranbury, NJ bracing for another nor’easter in less than a week

Christopher Lang, Correspondent, @topherlang2,  Mar 6, 2018 | MonroeNow 

For the second time within the last seven days, a nor’easter is expected to slam New Jersey and the Northeast, likely leading to more power outages and commuting nightmares.

While this time around, the winds aren’t anticipated to be as strong as the last week’s storm, more areas are forecasts to receive heavier snow fall.

Weather centers and meteorologists are predicting between 6-12 inches of snowfall for the Middlesex County area, starting overnight Tuesday with the heaviest amounts during the Wednesday morning commute.

 

“As with any significant storm, we ask our residents to try to avoid travel during the peak hours of this storm for their safety and to remove all vehicles from the roadways to allow more efficient, curb-to-curb plowing operations,” Monroe Township Mayor Gerald Tamburro said on Tuesday.

Mid-afternoon on Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Monroe Township and surrounding areas from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday. At times, the snowfall rate may reach 1 inch per hour, with wind gusts up to 35 mph.

“We have our staff and our snow removal equipment, including plows, salt spreaders and front loaders on standby for the impending storm, ” Tamburro said. “With residents’ safety remaining our highest priority, our [Department of Public works] and emergency personnel will be out working to keep our roads clear for emergency vehicles and township roadways plowed during the storm. We will keep the public updated and informed through social media, Nixle and our website.”

Earlier today, Governor Murphy gave a press conference about the state’s preparedness for this latest storm. At 8 p.m., a state of emergency will go into affect.

“Please do not venture out on the roads during the storm,” Governor Murphy said.

In Cranbury, Mayor Glenn Johnson asked that residents remove their vehicles from streets to make it easier for public works to plow the snow.

“It would be a huge help for folks to stay off the roads,” Johnson said. “It would be really great if folks did not park on Main Street so plows can get right up to the roads’ curbs.” Monroe’s website, also reminds residents to keep the roads clear so the plow crews can do their jobs.

The mayor also said Cranbury residents need to remove the snow from the sidewalks withing 24 hours after the snow has stopped.

Though this storm is not expected to be as powerful as the last nor’easter, it still poses a problem. Several areas are still without power and the heavier snow could complicate matters for utility companies already working to restore power.