Twenty years from now, if you try to tell your grandkids about how you survived Winter Storm Juno, they’re going to wonder what you’re talking about. Although the snowstorm had significant impact on Long Island and New England, the much-anticipated event only dumped four to six inches of white stuff on Jersey City.
On Sunday, Jan. 25, weather forecasts for the area became dire, some predicting a “historic” blizzard. Mayor Steven Fulop, along with the city’s Office of Emergency Management and the Jersey City Incinerator Authority (JCIA), decided more preparedness was better than less, and launched what they called “an aggressive snow removal plan.”
Forecasters, the mayor’s office said, were predicting more than a foot of snow for the area, as well as blizzard-like wind conditions from Monday going into Tuesday.
The National Weather Service had issued a Blizzard Watch for the region, predicting wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour.
JCIA crews hit the road at 5 a.m. on Monday, salting and treating the roadways ahead of the major snowfall. Salt trucks weaved through narrow streets during the early light snow that fell early Monday.
“We listen to radio, TV, and some who post on here predicting doom. But the older and wiser folks know that you take things in stride and pass this knowledge on to the computer, iPad and cell phone generation.” – Richard Boggiano
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In the anticipation that snow would pile up and that residents might need assistance, the Fire Department had all its companies fully staffed. Fire recruits were reassigned from the fire academy to deal with storm-related needs, including shoveling snow away from fire hydrants.
The midnight shift of the Police Department was called in early to start at 7 p.m. just when the heavier snow fall was expected to start.
Overall, the JCIA had about 60 pieces of equipment – plows and spreaders – working during the storm. The city’s two salt storage sites at the eastern and southern sections of the city were supplied with about 4,000 tons of salt. On the Sunday ahead of the storm, the JCIA pretreated all of the city streets with liquid brine.
Then the storm came
By mid-afternoon on Monday, heavy snow began to fall. By 5 p.m., Jersey City began operating under an official State of Emergency. This allowed the chief of police to regulate traffic on any state, county or municipal road, including issuing detours, road closures and barricades. It also provided the police with the authority to tow any abandoned cars from roadways.
At 6 p.m., the city closed its parks. City officials feared that the weight of excess snow on tree limbs would pose a risk to residents.
The city also issued a warning concerning power lines that might also fall due to the heavy snow, and arranged for city inspectors to go to food establishments where power has been out more than four hours.
The city did not, of course, forget pets, encouraging residents to bring their pets indoors for the storm, and if taking dogs for walks during the blinding blizzard, to keep them on a leash so that they would not get lost.
PATH service was suspected at 11 p.m. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said service would be resumed once tracks were cleared.
Monday night, the forecast was still calling for accumulations of 12 to 24 inches with strong winds with gusts up to 45 m.p.h, causing excessive blowing and drifting of snow. They predicted periods of snow would into Tuesday afternoon.
But overnight and the next day, the only snowfall came in the form of flurries.
By 5 a.m., the city announced that its roads were “vehicle free,” allowing JCIA to remove snow through the night and early morning.
All quiet on Tuesday
Public schools, city offices and municipal court were all closed on Tuesday. Alternate side parking was suspended, recreation programs canceled and no home-delivered meals.
About 7:30 a.m., a travel ban placed in effect by NJ State was lifted. NJ Transit announced that North Jersey bus service and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail would start operating again by 11 a.m. or sooner.
“With age comes wisdom,” said Councilman Richard Boggiano on Tuesday morning, when it became evident that the storm was far less severe than predicted. “This morning several of us were talking and I mentioned that we always are panicked by bad news such as the horrendous snowstorm coming. Over the years I have learned to pay attention, but to know they are wrong many times. …The older and wiser folks know that you take things in stride and pass this knowledge on to the computer, iPad, and cell phone generation.”
Boggiano said city workers, the police, fire, JCIA and others did a great job.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.