Aberdeen Prepares for Major Winter Storm Friday

Aberdeen, NJ - Mother Nature, Aberdeen is ready for you.

With a nor’easter/snowstorm packing 50 mph winds and a strong chance of coastal flooding bearing down on New Jersey, Aberdeen Township police started preparing early Monday morning, deputy chief of police Rick Derechailo told Patch.

Derechailo is also the deputy coordinator of the township OEM.

“Our OEM and DPW mechanics all checked to make sure our snow plows are in good working order,” he told Patch Tuesday. “All the plow equipment is working and the salt bins are full.”

While he said it’s a bit premature for “drastic action,” the township has also been in talks with Aberdeen schools to make sure they are prepared in case of an early dismissal Friday.

The storm is expect to hit Friday afternoon, and thunder and lightning could accompany the heavy snow in some coastal locations. A full weather report is here.

Coastal flooding is likely, National Weather Service says

Moderate to major tidal flooding may occur with this storm, forecasters warn, especially as there is a full moon on Saturday night.

“We’re keeping an eye on flooding: If the storm hits at the right time, with the high tide cycle, we could have a problem,” he said.

According to tide charts, low tide is at 6:13 a.m. Friday, and high tide is at 6:41 p.m. Friday. Low tide is at 7 a.m. Saturday, and high tide is at 7:28 p.m. Saturday, he said.

“There’s a very strong possibility this storm will pass through one of those tide cycles, either Friday night or Saturday night,” said Derechailo.

Be aware of flooded roads

He also reminds residents of the usual flood spots in Aberdeen:

“Rt. 35 between Cliffwood Avenue and the Old Bridge county line has always been a flood zone; however, in the past two years the state did raise it several feet,” said Derechailo. “Beach Drive and Lakeshore Road is another flood-prone area. Again, Lakeshore Drive has been raised several feet as part of a mitigation program, but that doesn’t mean if we get a significant storm it won’t flood.”

Amboy Road by Matawan Creek is another flood zone, he added.

Any road that is flooded will be shut down by police, he said, and he asked that drivers respect “Road Closed” signs during a weather emergency.

“Often motorists ignore our warning and try to drive through, and don’t realize how high the water is,” he said. “Please do not ignore signs. If roads are closed, they are closed for a reason.”

(A woman tried to drive through flooded Amboy Avenue last week, and had to be rescued.)

Snowfall to start Friday evening after midnight

Derechailo also encouraged Aberdeen residents to keep an eye on weather reports and be prepared for the storm, such as by having enough food and water in the house, as well as things like batteries and flashlights.

The one saving grace is, of course, the heaviest snow will come Friday night, and not in the middle of the week, he said.

“We’re grateful this is coming on a weekend, so everyone will be off the roads and it may not impact commuters as much,” he said. ”Right now we are just tracking the storm and holding down the fort.”

Image: Aberdeen Township Police