Hoboken travel ban until 4 p.m. due to blizzard conditions

Key items in this Nixle:

• Hoboken OEM travel ban until 4 p.m.  
  
• NWS Blizzard Warning until 6 p.m.  
  
• Hoboken remains under a State of Emergency  
  
• Report power outages to PSE&G 
  
• Sinatra Drive closed until further notice 
  
• Municipal offices closed today 
  
• Street cleaning cancelled today and tomorrow 
  
• PATH service adjusted 
  
• City Council meeting to be virtual at 7 p.m. tonight 

Travel ban extended until 4 p.m.

The Hoboken Office of Emergency Management has issued a travel ban extension until 4 p.m.  

All non-essential vehicles and personnel must remain off all roads, citywide, until 4 p.m. today, Feb. 23. Hoboken Police will enforce the ban on local roadways, and violators may be issued traffic summonses. 

The travel restriction does not apply to:  

• Emergency and public safety vehicles and personnel  
  
• Public works and snow removal crews  
  
• Public transportation vehicles and personnel  
  
• Government officials conducting official business  
  
• Utility company vehicles and personnel  
  
• Healthcare workers and urgent medical travel  
  
• Personnel supporting emergency shelter operations and human services facilities  
  
• Delivery of critical medical supplies and services to healthcare facilities 
  
• News media 
  
• Private snow removal contractors  
  
• Patients seeking urgent critical care and their escorts  
  
• Travel necessary to maintain critical infrastructure and essential services, including energy, fuel, food, pharmacies, and hardware stores  
  
• Personnel supporting airline and airport operations 

The National Weather Service’s Blizzard Warning will remain in effect until 6 p.m. tonight. The City of Hoboken has already had approximately 1 foot of snow. Heavy winds of up to 50 mph remain possible throughout today, causing dangerous, whiteout conditions and little to no visibility.  

The City remains under a State of Emergency, and residents are strongly urged to stay home unless absolutely necessary. If you walk outside, PLEASE DO NOT WALK IN THE STREET. Vehicles may not see you, and due to snow conditions, sudden stopping may be difficult.  

Emergency Snow Routes being enforced 

As a reminder, any vehicle that remains parked on snow emergency routes is subject to ticketing and towing. This is necessary to allow emergency vehicles to move throughout Hoboken for the safety and welfare of all residents. Parking is also restricted on the east side of Grand Street between Third and Eighth Streets. 

A map and list of emergency snow routes is available on the City’s website: www.hobokennj.gov/snow.  

Snow emergency routes will remain in place until OEM declares them clear and releases them for parking. To learn more about Emergency Snow Routes, click here for the City’s FAQ: www.hobokennj.gov/resources/snow-faq   

Cancellations, closures & adjustments 

Transit 

• Sinatra Drive is closed from Fifth Street to 11th Street until further notice. 
  
• PATH service has been suspended between NWK-JSQ and HOB-WTC.  JSQ-WTC, JSQ-33 via HOB, HOB-33 lines operating with delays. This service is subject to change. For updates, follow PATH alerts on X.  
  
• All NJ Transit service has been suspended. 
  
• Citi Bike docking stations and bike share services are suspended. Citi Bike riders are encouraged to check the Citi Bike and Lyft apps for service updates.   

City government & services 

• The Hoboken City Council meeting will be held virtually tonight starting at 7 p.m. Residents can join using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86862589390?pwd=eKP51EYaF3DVWeI76iaRKNhQuGR52U.1 For additional log in information, CLICK HERE.
  
• City Hall and the Multi Service Center are closed today, Feb. 23.   
  
• Hop shuttle service and street cleaning have been suspended for today, Feb. 23. Street cleaning is also suspended tomorrow, Feb. 24.  
  
• The City’s Division of Recreation cancelled all recreation programs on Monday, Feb. 23. 
  
• The City’s Black History Month Celebration, including the high school speech contest, has been postponed. The preliminary round of speech presentations, originally scheduled for today, will now be held on Monday, March 2, at 4 p.m. Final presentations and the City’s Black History Month Celebration will be held on Thursday, March 5, at 3:30 p.m., at City Hall. 
  
• Waste collection and recycling are currently scheduled to occur tonight, however, this is subject to change.  

Public schools & Library  

• The Hoboken Public School District, Hoboken Charter School, HOLA Dual Language Charter School, and Elysian Charter School are closed today, Feb. 23.  
  
• The Hoboken Public Library is closed today, Feb. 23. 

Report power outages to PSE&G 

With wind gusts of up to 50 mph possible, residents should secure all loose objects outside or bring them inside, especially from balconies.  

Strong winds and heavy snow could down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages. To prepare for a possible power outage, residents should keep flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, and a fully charged portable phone charger available.    

Please report power outages and downed wires to PSEG at https://nj.myaccount.pseg.com/myservicepublic/outagepublic, texting OUT to 4PSEG (47734), or call 1-800-436-PSEG (7734). 

Downed trees and large limbs can be reported to the Hoboken Fire Department at (201) 420-2004. 

Keep sidewalks & curb ramps clear

While the Division of Public Works will salt and plow streets, property owners and occupants are reminded that they have six (6) hours after the completion of a storm to remove snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property, along with adjoining curb ramps or curb cuts. 

Additionally, the Hoboken Fire Department is also asking residents with hydrants near their homes to clear three feet of snow from around, and a path to, the hydrant. This will allow firefighters quick access during emergencies, instead of clearing snow.    

Residents are urged to use caution when shoveling as the snow is expected to be wet and heavy. Please assist elderly or disabled neighbors with clearing snow from their properties. It is illegal to shovel snow back onto streets or onto fire hydrants.      

The City performs proactive inspections and relies on citizen complaints to help identify property owners that are not meeting sidewalk safety requirements. While most property owners comply with the safety regulations, the City will issue fines to those who do not keep sidewalks clear.      

To report an un-shoveled sidewalk, please email sanitationinspectors@hobokennj.gov.   

To learn more about snow removal, click here: www.hobokennj.gov/resources/snow-faq    

Volunteer to assist neighbors with snow removal

The City is launching a volunteer snow removal program for those 60 years old or older or those who have a disability and need assistance clearing snow from their property, sidewalk, curb ramp, or curb cuts, as well as their vehicles after the storm.   

Please note, snow removal requests will occur pending the availability of volunteers on a first come, first served basis.   

To register for the program, click here: https://hoboken.seamlessdocs.com/f/SnowRemovalRegistration  

To volunteer for the program, click here: https://hoboken.seamlessdocs.com/f/VolunteerRegistrationSnowRemoval    

Municipal parking garages remain FULL  

Garage B and Midtown Garage are both full and closed to discounted parking at this time. Spots remain available for monthly and business permit holders. The City will update residents via Nixle and social media before discounted parking ends. 

Stay informed

Residents are encouraged to follow the City of Hoboken and Hoboken’s Office of Emergency Management on social media for updates: 

• Instagram: instagram.com/hobokennj/ and https://www.instagram.com/hobokenpublicsafety/   
  
• ​​​​​​​Facebook: facebook.com/hoboken   
  
• Twitter/X: https://x.com/CityofHoboken  and https://x.com/HobokenOEM     

Residents should also sign up to receive alerts by email and text message at www.hobokennj.gov/alerts. Please provide your email as the majority of Nixle advisories are sent to an email address and not via text.   

For more information on Hoboken's winter weather operations go to https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/winter-weather-operations.