Key items:
State of Emergency declared; Blizzard Warning issued
The Hoboken Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has declared a State of Emergency and travel advisory which will go into effect at 12 p.m. today. A National Weather Service (NWS) blizzard warning goes into effect at 1 p.m., with total snow accumulations now forecasted between 18 and 22 inches, with wind gusts as high as 50 miles per hour.
While crews with the Hoboken Division of Public Works have pre-treated City roads, the City of Hoboken and OEM strongly urge residents to stay home during the storm, and off the roads, as whiteout conditions are expected, and will make travel extremely dangerous. According to the NWS, at the height of the storm, travel is anticipated to be difficult to impossible.
Emergency Snow Routes to be Enforced
Snow emergency routes will be enforced as soon as the road is snow covered. Vehicles parked on snow emergency routes are subject to ticketing and towing. This is necessary to allow emergency vehicles to move throughout Hoboken for the safety and welfare of all residents.
Emergency snow routes in Hoboken are labeled with street signs that read “No Parking When Road Is Snow Covered.” A map of emergency snow routes is available on the City’s website: www.hobokennj.gov/snow and are listed below:
Snow emergency routes will remain in place until OEM declares them clear and releases them for parking. This will not occur until after snowfall ceases, the streets are plowed sufficiently, and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the flow of traffic for emergency operations.
Temporary No-Parking signs have been posted on the east side of Grand Street between Third and Eighth Streets. This will allow plows to clear snow toward the curbline for removal. If snow is not cleared, it can prevent vehicles from parking within the parking lane, causing them to encroach into the travel lane and block the flow of traffic, including emergency vehicles. The signs are in effect until snow is cleared and signs are removed by the Hoboken Parking Utility.
To learn more about Emergency Snow Routes, click here for the City’s FAQ: www.hobokennj.gov/resources/snow-faq
Discounted parking garages 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.
Cancellations & closures
The Hoboken Public Library is closed today and tomorrow.
The City’s Division of Recreation has cancelled all recreation programs scheduled after 12 p.m. today.
Citi Bike has announced all docking stations and bike share services will temporarily close on Sunday, Feb. 22, starting at 8 p.m. due to the storm through Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 6 a.m. Citi Bike Riders are encouraged to check the Citi Bike and Lyft apps for service updates.
Street cleaning has been suspended for Monday, Feb 23, and Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Secure loose objects
With wind gusts of up to 50 mph possible, residents should secure all loose objects outside or bring them inside, especially from balconies.
Damaging 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).
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
