Public Works crews work around clock to keep roads clear
CAPE MAY — Winter Storm Hernando will go down as a blizzard to remember.
From Sunday, Feb. 22, to Monday, Feb. 23, the storm blanketed the East Coast with heavy, wet snow. The National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly predicted strong winds gusting upwards of 60 mph near the coastal areas.
Due to intense bands of snow, snowfall totals ranged across Cape May County, with the average around 14 to 16 inches in Cape May.
Thousands were left without power. Atlantic City Electric shared a statement Feb. 23 that workers were “fully engaged as the storm continues to bring heavy snow, strong winds and hazardous conditions across our region.”
Gov. Mikie Sherrill preemptively declared a state of emergency on Saturday, Feb. 21. The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management issued a mandatory travel restriction beginning at 9 p.m. Feb. 22 that was extended until noon Feb. 23.
Cape May
All Cape May City buildings were closed Feb. 23-24 due to power outages. All scheduled programs and meetings were canceled. Additionally, people were prohibited from entering the Convention Hall deck, the Promenade, the beach mats and the nature trails and parks.
Recycling pickup was canceled for the week, and residents were encouraged to take it to the Department of Public Works Yard, which had extended hours Feb. 28.
City Manager Paul Dietrich said the city used 15 tons of salt on the roads and sidewalks for the winter storm.
“This storm was a little different from the last one,” Dietrich said. “The snow was heavy and wet, so it weighed down trees, which a lot came down and took out wires.”
As of Feb. 25, Dietrich said not all residents had their power restored and that power outages were one of the biggest issues from this storm. There were still more than 1,100 tickets for Atlantic City Electric as of Feb. 24.
Dietrich said the city had the manpower and equipment ready ahead of the storm. Additional police and firefighter crews were on staff to respond to emergencies.
“We put our Public Works people on notice to be ready for a call to come working,” he said. “I think the guys averaged 30 hours [overtime] between the two days from Sunday into Monday. Some guys worked almost 23 hours straight.”
Making sure the Public Works staff took breaks to rest and eat was important, Dietrich added. Food was provided for the crews working.
“I’m just really proud of our whole Public Works and Office of Emergency Management team to be able to respond for our residents and visitors in a real positive fashion,” he said. “And bring the city back to as close to normal working order as they could.”
Lower Township
The Lower Township Recreation Center at 2600 Bayshore Road, behind Township Hall was opened as a warming center through Feb. 24. All activities at the rec center were canceled so it could remain open 24 hours for residents experiencing power outages.
Lower Township offices were closed Feb. 23. Trash and recycling collection scheduled for Monday was delayed to Feb. 24.
The night before the storm, Township Manager Mike Laffey said they had a Zoom meeting with the Cape May County OEM. All municipalities, OEM coordinators and administrators were invited.
Officials from Atlantic City Electric attended the Zoom meeting, during which Laffey said they discussed what they would implement during the storm, anticipating downed wires due to heavy snow.
“They discussed all resources available from the county level, potential state assistance, if necessary,” Laffey said. “When you have an event of this magnitude across the entire state, those resources are very limited, down south here especially.”
Laffey said the plows remained on the trucks after the snowstorm at the end of January, so they were ready in advance of this storm.
“Our OEM coordinator is also our Public Works director, so he’s at the helm of the resources available,” Laffey said, adding that township staff members are prepared to work overtime, and they try to give them rest between shifts.
In addition to plowing, Public Works staff were out shoveling sidewalks at public buildings and dealing with downed trees and limbs in the roadway.
“I think the county did a very good job of plowing county roads and the state did a good job with their roads,” Laffey said. “We do the best that we can on our municipal roads; you can’t get to every road first.”
During the storm, Laffey said the residents did a good job staying off the streets, which allowed municipal and county workers to make the roads passable.
“There were a lot of issues where we had downed wires and a huge loss of power in Lower Township as well as South Jersey,” Laffey said. “We did have people who came to the rec center for the warming center because they lost power. Our fire department and police department transported people there.”
The warming shelter was equipped with water, cots, blankets and more. Laffey said it allowed people to rest and warm up.
“A few folks came at night and then were transported back to their homes during the course of the day,” he said.
Laffey added that Public Works has been preparing for storms for a long time and prepares in the same manner for hurricanes and other incidents.
“Our staff has done a great job getting out there and making the township as safe as possible for the residents,” he said.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
