Another Winter Storm In Holmdel-Hazlet: Here’s What’s Happening

HOLMDEL, NJ – A winter storm was expected to continue to impact the Holmdel-Hazlet area on Thursday, and it’s expected to produce several inches of snow, ice or freezing rain.

The storm is expected to impact roads and could down power lines and cause power outages (see road impacts, latest estimated snow totals and forecast below).

The National Weather Service issued winter storm alerts across New Jersey, saying that snow and sleet accumulations could bring anywhere from 3 to 8 inches across the state.

More than 1 inch an hour could fall between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday.

"God knows we're getting another storm," Gov. Phil Murphy said.

State officials said they’re concerned about the storm’s impact on vaccination distribution. The Burlington and Morris mega-sites will close on Thursday. Read more: NJ Extends COVID Emergency, Citing Need To Boost Vaccines

The latest updates show that more snow than expected will fall in Central Jersey, South Jersey and the Jersey Shore, although those areas could also get a significant amount of sleet, freezing rain and ice that could make a mess of roads.

Snow accumulation is possible Thursday morning. Please remember to clear your entire sidewalks, including curb ramps, within 12 hours of the snowfall's end. It is especially important for our senior citizens, people with disabilities and schoolchildren. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/J1WoPeDd8a
— Township of Hazlet (@TwpofHazlet) February 17, 2021

The storm could be a combined snow and ice storm, one that could knock down wires and cause power outages, according to the National Weather Service.

Here are the expected snow totals:

A winter storm watch was issued for western Monmouth County early Wednesday morning. It will remain in effect until Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

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

Monmouth County officials said Wednesday that up to 250 trucks and equipment may be deployed for salt spreading and plowing. “If you must be on the roads, please exercise caution and if you come across plows and sand trucks, make sure to give them room to do their work," said Commissioner Director Arnone.

The county has 30,000 tons of treated salt and 130,000 gallons of salt brine. The salt brine and pre-application of treated rock salt prevent the snow and ice from bonding to the roads.

"The county’s Emergency Operations Center is open and we are monitoring the storm’s progress,” said Arnone. “Our process helps us manage the personnel needed at the county’s ten highway districts and dispatch crews as needed. The county has already pretreated all county roads and building complexes as well as assisted with municipalities in Shared Service agreements.”

Road impacts:

A speed restriction was imposed on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Southern Terminus/CR 109 in Cape May to Exit 41 - CR561/Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway Twp: 45 miles per hour due to roadway conditions.

A speed restriction was imposed on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from North of Interchange 7A - I-195 in Robbinsville to North of Interchange 8A - NJ 32 in South Brunswick Twp: 45 miles per hour for Salting Operation.

New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey starting at 4 a.m., Thursday, February 18 based on the forecast for heavy snow.

Snow was hitting overnight before the morning commute, with periods of heavy snow forecast during the day. Precipitation is expected to continue through the afternoon commute and into Friday. The travel restrictions are being coordinated with neighboring states.

In addition to the commercial restrictions, all motorists are strongly encouraged to stay off the roads on Thursday. The safest place to be is at home.

The commercial vehicle travel restriction will begin at 4 a.m., Thursday, February 18 and will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions:

· I-78, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-80, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-195, from I-295 to NJ Route 138
· I-280, from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
· I-287, from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
· I-295, from Exit 60 (I-195) north to the Scudders Falls Bridge (Pennsylvania border)
· NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287

The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:
· All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order)
· Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
· Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
· Recreational vehicles
· Motorcycles

This restriction DOES NOT apply to:

· The New Jersey Turnpike
· The Garden State Parkway
· The Atlantic City Expressway
· I-76
· I-676
· Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food.

In Monmouth County, commercial vehicle restrictions are in place on I-95 westbound from Exit 35 - NJ 34 in Wall Township to East of I-295 in Hamilton Township.

For a complete list of operations or personnel that are exempt from the travel ban, see the Administrative Order.

Trucks that are already in New Jersey when the travel restrictions go into place are encouraged to pull off in truck stops to wait out the storm – DO NOT PARK ON SHOULDERS.

As of 8:51 a.m., a crash has been reported on the Garden State Parkway soundbound south of exit 102 - Asbury Avenue in Tinton Falls. A nearby crash was also reported on the Garden State Parkway southbound north of Exit 105 - NJ 36 in Tinton Falls. One right lane is blocked, according to 511NY.

Here is the forecast:

Wednesday night: A chance of snow, mainly after 5 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 24. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday: Snow, mainly after 8 a.m. High near 30. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Snow before midnight, then snow and sleet. Low around 28. Northeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday: Snow and sleet before 9 a.m., then snow likely between 9am and 2pm, then a chance of rain and snow after 2 p.m. High near 35. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of rain and snow before 10pm, then a chance of snow between 10pm and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Several municipal police departments have already warned residents to remove parked vehicles from streets to allow for efficient plowing. In Hazlet, recycling pickup for Thursday, Feb. 18 has been canceled for zone 6 residents. The recycling yard on Leocadia Court will also be closed.

DPW's next pickup in zone 6 will be March 4.

Due to the anticipated inclement weather, the COVID-19 testing site in Neptune scheduled for Feb. 18 is cancelled. Vaccine appointments Brookdale Community College and Monmouth County Agricultural Building for Feb. 18 will be delayed until Feb. 22 due to delays in vaccine shipments. Read more: 2 Monmouth Co. Vaccine Sites Still Delayed By Shipment Issues