Update: What To Expect In Middletown's First Snowstorm Of Season

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Middletown, get ready. The area's first major winter storm will bring projected snow and sleet accumulations of 5 to 10 inches, with wind gusts of 50 miles per hour.

For the latest Wednesday morning update on the storm in Monmouth County, go here: https://patch.com/new-jersey/m...

The snow is expected to start falling in New Jersey around 3 p.m. Wednesday. However, Monmouth County straddles the line where the southern half of New Jersey will get mostly rain, while western and northern Monmouth could get snow.

"We're on the line. There's a big unknown. Monmouth County is in a unique situation with this snow storm, with some of our southern towns predicted to get as little as one inch of snow and some our northern towns predicted to get up to ten inches between noon today and 2 p.m. tomorrow,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone.

This will likely be a heavy, wet snow. Monmouth County residents know what that means: Downed trees and power lines, and power outages.

The Middletown school district already warned parents to be prepared to pivot to virtual learning on Thursday due to likely power outages. If the projected wind gusts do occur, it will likely bring down power lines and students will be unable to sign into their Google classroom. So the district will have to take a snow day, said Board of Education president Pam Rogers.

"At this time, we anticipate pivoting to virtual instruction on Thursday, December 17 for all students," said Middletown superintendent Mary Ellen Walker here. "However, the threat of power outages may result in the full closure of school. In other words a traditional snow day, as power outages would impact students’ and staff’s ability to participate in online instruction."

In the northern part of the state, the snow will have a light, fluffy consistency, said Todd Meyers, a spokesman for the area's electric provider, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).

"On the flip side, Monmouth and Ocean counties are expected to see a wintry mix of rain and sleet, plus coastal wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour from this storm," he said. "Those are the types of conditions that can topple trees into our facilities and cause outages. So while it is too early to tell exactly where outages will occur and how long they might last, we are on the lookout for problems nearer the Shore."

To that end, JCP&L already told its line workers to be ready to work 16-hour shifts Wednesday and Thursday. Plus, crews from JCP&L parent company FirstEnergy in Ohio were on the road Tuesday headed to New Jersey.

If you have to be on the roads Wednesday afternoon and evening, please be very careful, warned Middletown police. That will be the worst of the storm and driving could be very difficult.

"The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute Wednesday and the morning commute Thursday," said Middletown police. "This is a heavy wet snow combined with gusty winds."

The National Weather Service is now labeling the storm a "nor'easter" since it's expected to produce strong, sustained damaging winds and precipitation over a 24-hour period on Wednesday. AccuWeather is saying the system could be the "most significant winter storm in several years."

In Middletown, snow will move into the area Wednesday afternoon or early evening. The snow may become heavy at times Wednesday evening and overnight. The highest snowfall totals will occur over the western portion of Monmouth County.

Flooding

And if you live in a part of the Bayshore that floods, get ready. Middletown is under a coastal flood warning until 3 p.m. Thursday.

One to two feet of flood water is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways in Monmouth and Ocean counties from 7 p.m. until Thursday afternoon.

"Many roads will become impassable," warned Middletown police.

Residents living in flood-prone areas are reminded to move cars to higher ground. If you are concerned about flooding, you can park at the Middletown Train Station parking lots.

And on Wednesday, the DEP will close the new Port Monmouth Road floodgate at low tide to prevent the tide from returning to Pews Creek at high tide. The gate and pumps will be in storm mode through Thursday. The Wilson Avenue floodgate will remain open to allow runoff from the affected streets to drain to Pews Creek and pump out to the bay if levels rise high enough.

Middletown and county salt trucks were already out throughout the day Tuesday, brining the roads in preparation. Gov. Murphy says the state has 400 snow plows at the ready.

Best places for sledding near Middletown

Grab the sleds and hit these local spots!

• The sledding hill in Holmdel Park (closed due to COVID crowd-gathering restrictions)
• Tower Hill in Red Bank
• The hills around PNC Bank Arts Center and Telegraph Hill in Holmdel
• Navsink Country Club and Beacon Hill Country Club in Atlantic Highlands
• Atlantic Highlands Elementary School

From JCP&L, do this to prepare for power outages in the winter:

• Keep cell phones, laptops and tablet computers fully charged to be ready for any emergencies.
  
• Keep a flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries handy in the event a power interruption occurs. Tune to a local station for current storm information.
• Never use a portable generator inside the house or a closed garage in the event of a power outage. Ensure the proper generator is selected and installed by a qualified electrician. When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.
• Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person. Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from building up in your home.
• If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.
• Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.
• Mobile phones can be charged in your car using a car charger when the power is out. If you have a smart phone, this will ensure you have access to online information sources.
• To report a power outage, call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report outages immediately, or report online or via text messaging. JCP&L call centers will be fully staffed.
• Immediately report downed wires to 888-544-4877 or your local police or fire department.
• Never go near a downed power line, even if you think it's no longer carrying electricity.
• Stay out of flooded basements, even if the power is off. Stay away from the breaker box if it's in a flooded basement.