A major winter storm is expected to strike the region late this weekend and the Burlington County Commissioners and Burlington County Office of Emergency Management are encouraging residents to prepare for significant snow accumulations and other impacts.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the entire county, warning of potential snow accumulations of 12 inches or more across the county. The snow is expected to begin Saturday night, but the heaviest accumulations are forecast on Sunday.

Severe cold temperatures and wind chills in the single digits or below zero are also expected beginning Friday through the weekend.

Residents are strongly encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm and to prepare for the possibility of prolonged power outages.

“We’re bracing for one of the most significant winter storms in recent history with the potential for very large snow accumulations, power outages and other impacts,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson. “Our emergency management team, first responders and County Public Works crews are making preparations and we’re asking residents to take heed and make their own preparations for this potentially dangerous storm.”

County roads

Burlington County has 64 trucks equipped for plowing, salting and brining operations.

The County’s current winter storm inventory includes:

• 5,000 tons of salt on hand
• 24,000 gallons of liquid brine
• 20,000 gallons of Calcium Chloride (this is added to salt when temperatures drop below 25 degrees to help melt snow and ice).

“As the largest county in New Jersey with more than 500 miles of county highways, Burlington County road crews have a big job whenever a winter storm strikes, and this storm has the potential to be one of the largest in recent memory,” said Burlington County Commissioner Tom Pullion, the liaison to the County Department of Public Works. “Our crews are ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store, but in the interest of everyone’s safety, we’re strongly encouraging motorists to stay home and off the roads until we have them sufficiently cleared. If you must travel, please drive slowly and carefully and give plow or salt trucks you encounter a wide berth so they can do their jobs safely and without impediment.”

County residents, business owners and contactors are also reminded to avoid plowing or shoveling snow from driveways or parking lots into County highways or local roads. Doing so is illegal and makes road clearing operations more difficult.

CODE BLUE

Due to the forecast of subfreezing temperatures and snow, a CODE BLUE Weather Emergency will remain in effect. During the Code Blue, the County provides short-term sheltering for homeless in clean, safe locations.

Residents in need of Code Blue sheltering should contact the Burlington County Board of Social Services at 609-261-1000 or the Burlington County Housing HUB is 609-265-5185 Monday-Friday between 8AM-5PM. After hours, weekends, and holidays, contact NJ 211 by dialing 2-1-1.

Prepare for power outages or other emergencies 

Residents should make preparations in advance of the storm and its impacts, including compiling an emergency kit with at least three- to five-days of food and water, prescription medications, toiletries, a first aid kit, baby supplies, pet supplies and additional items for special medical needs. Battery powered flashlights, radios and extra batteries are also recommended. 

Residents should also check to make sure their home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and to pay close attention to the weather forecasts and any emergency alerts from New Jersey, Burlington County or their local municipality.

Residents can sign up for real-time alerts and notifications from the Burlington County Department of Public Safety’s CivicReady Emergency Alert system online at https://co.burlington.nj.us/210/Emergency-Notification-Systems .