Storm Impacts In The Caldwells: Power, Parking, Shoveling, Pets

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

CALDWELLS, NJ — The Caldwells 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

CALDWELL-WEST CALDWELL SCHOOLS

The Caldwell-West Caldwell Public School District announced that there will be no school on Thursday, Dec. 17, including remote learning.

• See related article: Caldwell-West Caldwell Schools Closed Thursday Due To Storm

NORTH CALDWELL

In North Caldwell, the local fire department issued a reminder to residents about what do to - and what not to do - if bad weather hits the borough.

The NCFD wrote:

"With this week's impending snow be sure to check generators and snow blowers as well as make sure you have fuel. We recommend using a fuel stabilizer such as Stabil to keep fuel for extended periods of time. To report a power outage DO NOT call the police department. Instead call 1-800-436-PSEG (7734). Or report online through the PSEG Mobile App. Use caution when driving, four-wheel drive helps you get moving in the snow but it DOES NOT shorten your braking distance, this is one of the most common causes of winter accidents. If you have a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive car, review how to engage four-wheel drive or a snow mode prior to the storm. We also recommend having a full tank of fuel in your vehicle as the extra weight aids in gaining traction in the snow. It is a borough ordinance that you may not park on the street during a snowstorm. The DPW crews will be working hard to keep roads clear, please do not make it harder on them by parking in the street."

The North Caldwell Police Department also issued an advisory about storm preparations on Tuesday:

"Due to the impending snowstorm, street parking is suspended on Wednesday and Thursday to allow for borough vehicles to plow the streets. This is especially important for residents on cul-de-sacs where plowing paths are already limited. Please assist the borough in clearing snow from fire hydrants. Leaf collection is also suspended for the week. Do not place leaf bags at the curb until after the snow is cleared. Leaf collection will resume by the trash haulers next week and will be picked up on the second trash collection day of the week. Tomorrow’s recycling collection will commence at 6 a.m. in an effort to be completed before the snow accumulates. Please place this week’s paper and cardboard materials at the curb prior to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

North Caldwell police continued:

"Remember to charge all electronics ahead of the storm and report power outages to PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG. In the event generators are needed please ensure they are used according to manufacturers reccomendations. For any emergencies, as always, call 911, for non-emergencies call the North Caldwell Police Department at 973-226-0800. There will be additional police on duty to assist residents."

WEST CALDWELL

"With the impending significant winter storm event, we thought it was a good time to provide a few friendly reminders," the West Caldwell Police Department stated Tuesday evening.

Their tips included:

• Please remove all snow and ice from your sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall
• Please do not park your vehicles in the roadway at any time during the snow fall or until your roadway is cleared
• Please remove all snow and ice from your vehicle before driving
• Please do not throw snow into the roadway from your sidewalk, walkways or driveway
• Please remove snow accumulation from the area surrounding any fire hydrants on your property
• In the event that you lose power, please contact PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734) or text "OUT" to 4PSEG (47734)
• Please do not leave a generator or snow blower running in the immediate area of an open garage door.
• Please check on your elderly neighbors to insure they are safe and are not in need of any assistance

"If you find yourself in need of the West Caldwell Police, Fire or the West Essex First Aid Squad, for non-emergency assistance please call (973)226-4114 or 911 for emergencies," authorities said.

On Thursday morning, West Caldwell police reported "icy roadways" in the township.

CALDWELL

The Borough of Caldwell and the Caldwell Police Department issued a joint statement about storm preparations on Tuesday.

"The Borough of Caldwell and the Caldwell Police Department would like to inform our residents of the potential hazardous road conditions due to the pending snow storm. We urge all our residents to please stay at home and not to brave the forecasted conditions unless it is a dire emergency that you must travel out on the roadways. Also, we urge all residents not to park your vehicles in the roadway overnight or during the snow storm so the roads can be cleared properly as per our Borough Ordinance 230-37, 'Parking on snow-covered streets prohibited.'"

The Caldwell borough ordinance for clearing of sidewalks and walkways follows below:

§ 207-8 Removal of snow and ice; time limit.

[Amended 2-24-2004 by Ord. No. 1139-04; 5-6-2014 by Ord. No. 1290-14]

The owner of lands abutting the public streets of the Borough shall remove or cause to be removed from abutting sidewalks of said lands:

A. If the land is used for commercial purposes, all snow and ice within four hours after the same shall have accumulated thereon, or by 12:00 noon, whichever is later.

B. If the land is used for residential purposes, all snow and ice within eight hours after the same shall have accumulated thereon, or by 8:00 p.m., whichever is later.

We would also like to remind residents not to clear snow from sidewalks or driveways into the public roadways as per our

Borough Ordinance:

§ 207-9 Formation of banks and mounds.

[Amended 7-13-1999 by Ord. No. 1073-99; 5-6-2014 by Ord. No. 1290-14]

A. No person owning property within the Borough shall allow any snow or ice to be removed from any driveway owned by said person or from any sidewalk abutting a public street and placed or deposited in any public street or upon any public sidewalk within the Borough.

B. An owner of property from which snow or ice is removed from any driveway or sidewalk in violation of Subsection A shall be responsible for the violation and subject to the provisions of §§ 207-10 and 207-11.

"Please keep in mind that fire hydrants near your residence should be cleared from snow in case of emergency," Caldwell officials stated.

"In addition, this amount of snow may cause problems with fallen trees or limbs, downed power lines and power outages," officials said. "We encourage residents to prepare themselves for this possibility and to report any problems to the Caldwell Police Department. Please be mindful of your neighbors and pets as they may need assistance during and after this storm.

"Please allow our Department of Public Works and the County of Essex to clear the roadways and make them safe for travel," Caldwell officials added. "Thank you and please stay safe."

The south side of Caldwell garbage pickup is cancelled for Thursday and will be picked up on Monday.

The Caldwell-based Rescue Haven Foundation reminded local pet owners to mind the potentially "frigid" temperatures.

"Please do not leave precious animals outside," the group wrote.

Live on a county-maintained road in the Caldwells? 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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