Storm Impacts In Belleville, Nutley: Parking, Shoveling, Power

This article was updated at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 17.

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Belleville and Nutley were among the New Jersey towns that made preparations and battened down the hatches in the face of a nor'easter predicted to cause heavy winds, snow and rain.

The National Weather Service labeled the "major" system a "nor'easter" since it was expected to produce strong, sustained damaging winds and precipitation over a 24-hour period on Wednesday and Thursday. The storm was fierce enough to knock down power lines and cause power outages, forecasters said.

On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy issued a state of emergency for New Jersey as some forecasters said a foot of snow may be headed to some areas of the state. Other areas could get winds as strong as 60-mph and heavy rain. READ MORE: Gov. Murphy Declares State Of Emergency For NJ Nor'easter Snow

NUTLEY

In Nutley, the township board of commissioners released a storm advisory on Tuesday, reminding residents to stay prepared and be mindful of local snow regulations.

According to Nutley town officials:

• 9-1-1 is for emergency use ONLY! Do not use 9-1-1 for complaints or questions. The direct phone number for the Nutley Police Department is (973) 284-4940.
• No on-street parking will be allowed, including handicap on-street parking.
• The Municipal Parking Lot # 7 located behind Bella Luce (507 Franklin Avenue) can be used for parking after 11 p.m. on Wednesday until 7 a.m. on Thursday. Park in the spaces not reserved for permit parking. No fee will be charged during the times stated above.
• To aid the Public Works Department in clearing the streets, do not throw snow back into the street. Do not plow snow into the roadway. This will be strictly enforced.

Nutley town officials also shared the following storm-related reminders.

OUTDOOR TENTS
Any restaurants that currently have tents up for outside dining, please either taken them or secure them to prevent injury and damage.

SNOW REMOVAL FROM SIDEWALKS
All property owners are required to clear snow from sidewalks within 24 hours of the end of the snow event. When possible use grassy areas to pile snow.

FIRE HYDRANTS
Do not bury fire hydrants with snow. Those caught burying fire hydrants will be fined. It is ask that you assist Emergency Responders and clear snow away from the fire hydrant.

HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS
Please assist your neighbors by checking on the elderly or those in need. Help to keep exit doors from homes clear. With the expected wind, snow drift may pile up blocking the means of entrance or exit from a structure. Any elderly or disabled person(s) requiring assistance with snow removal should call the Nutley Police Department at (973) 284-4940.

WARMING CENTERS
If warranted because of a loss of electricity or a heating issue, the Department of Public Affairs will arrange to have a warming center available. Residents who will need to come to the warming center because of a power outage or loss of heat can call the Nutley Police Department at (973) 284-4940. The Public Heath Reserve Corps and Nursing staff will be available if needed.

POWER OUTAGES
In the event of a Power Outage, please notify PSEG directly at 1-800-436-7734. PSEG needs your account number to track outages and locations requiring restoration of power.
If you utilize a portable gasoline or diesel generator, the equipment should be used outside of your home or building and kept at least 20 feet away. These machines pose a fire hazard because of the fuels used to run them. They also can cause a carbon monoxide issue when used inside or too close to structures leading to possible death or serious injury.

MEDICATIONS REQUIRING REFRIGERATION
During a power outage, the Department of Public Affairs will assist residents with refrigeration needs for cold storage of medicines. If you have lost power and need assistance with storing medications, contact the Department of Public Affairs through the Police Department at (973) 284-4940.

BELLEVILLE

Belleville town officials also issued a storm advisory on Tuesday.

Officials wrote:

"Due to the anticipated snow storm which is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Wednesday evening into Thursday, The Town Holiday Spectacular that is scheduled for this Thursday, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, December 23 from 6 to 10 p.m. Because of the anticipated snow accumulation, there will be no parking allowed on the township’s emergency streets during the storm. If your vehicle is parked on one of the township’s emergency streets, it will be ticketed and towed. Parking will be permitted on these streets once the Department of the Public Works has completed removing the snow from the street. For a list of the township’s snow emergency streets. Please visit the township’s website at www.bellevillenj.org. Throwing snow and/or ice into the street is not permitted."

Belleville officials added:

"Please [click here] for a revised list of emergency snow streets. There will be no parking permitted on these streets during the storm. Parking will be permitted once the Belleville Department of Public Works has finished clearing the streets of snow."

COUNTY ROADS

Live on a county-maintained road in Belleville or Nutley? Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura asked that residents refrain from parking on those streets from Wednesday to Thursday.

The pair of officials stated:

“Keeping the roads open will make it easier to remove snow and enable public works crews to plow from curb to curb. Weather forecasts indicate a significant snowstorm will arrive Wednesday afternoon and continue through Thursday morning. The heavy snow may cause tree limbs and electrical to break.”

DiVincenzo and Fontoura warned residents to not touch live wires or drive near them.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY

State officials said they have more than 400 pieces of road equipment available to make the roads safe, even though fewer people are taking to the roads because of the coronavirus outbreak.

AccuWeather is saying the system could be the "most significant winter storm in several years," one that could potentially become highly impactful and disruptive as the first round of coronavirus vaccines continue to be shipped around the country.

AccuWeather is warning of major disruptions to travel and even travel shutdowns, as well as shipping delays, school closings and power outages from this "blockbuster storm," – even though a number of New Jersey school districts have said they'll opt to go remote instead of closing.

The latest weather forecast includes:

• Wednesday night- Rain and snow, then rain after midnight. The rain, snow, and sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 29. Windy, with an east wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation expected.
• Thursday - Snow likely, mainly before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a north wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

This article contains reporting by Tom Davis, Patch staff

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