Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announced today that snow forecasts call for rain and snow starting tomorrow afternoon, along with cold temperatures that are keeping a “Code Blue” in place through Monday, January 21. As a result, residents are asked to observe the city’s “No Parking when Roads are Snow Covered” ordinance, which will be enforced.
“As you know, we are preparing the City of Newark for the impending snowstorm, predicted to begin this afternoon with snow and continuing through Saturday night. I, along with the Director of Public Safety Anthony Ambrose, strongly advise residents and visitors to stay home and off the roadways after 4 p.m. on Saturday,” Mayor Baraka said.
Residents should gather needed food staples, medications and other personal necessities today to avoid the need to run last-minute errands and encounter icy conditions or street closures. Residents should move vehicles off the street, if possible. That may mean partnering with a neighbor to use their driveway. The City has a “No Parking on Snow Covered Roadways” ordinance to ensure that ambulances, police and fire vehicles, snow plows and other emergency vehicles can get through.
The city is also urging residents to check on anyone who’s limited or disabled. This may be an elderly neighbor, a child or children, or anyone who may need assistance.
The City of Newark’s Department of Health and Community Wellness has activated a “Code Blue” to continue through Monday, January 21st. Code Blue is called whenever temperatures reach 25°F or lower without precipitation or 32°F or lower with precipitation. When this happens, the City opens its shelters to those in need. There’s more information on shelter locations at the City of Newark’s website.
Finally, for fire safety, use flashlights, instead of candles, should you lose electricity due to this weather event.
Please stay safe, stay warm and call the Department of Public Safety at (973) 733-6000 for all non-emergency weather-related emergencies. As always, dial 911 for emergencies.
Home and property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from all private residential and commercial property, including areas in and around driveways, sidewalks, and walkways. The City of Newark does not provide snow removal services to private property – residential or commercial property.
Residents are encouraged to observe ‘good neighbor’ tenets while weathering the snowstorm, by abiding by the following laws:
- Park vehicles in your driveway, so that the plows can get through to remove snow and ice.
- Clear snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of your storefront or home.
- Do not throw snow into the street. Place the snow on your lawn, on the side of your home or in the rear of the property.
- Remove snow and ice from hydrants and/or drains near your home.
- If you must venture out, take public transportation or carpool where possible.
For a list of Snow Emergency Routes where no parking is allowed, residents should go to.newarknj.gov/snow, call the Non-Emergency Help Center at (973) 733-4311 or watch Newark Municipal Access Television (Cablevision TV78, FiOS Channel 28).
The Non-Emergency Help Center, (973) 733-4311, is available for the following:
- Lists of Snow Emergency Routes
- To make Snow and Ice Complaints
- To reach the No-Heat Hotline.
The Department of Public Safety is coordinating responses to weather-related emergencies and other incidents through the combined use of Police, Fire, Office of Emergency Management Personnel, and other city services at the Emergency Operations Center, located at 480 Clinton Avenue.
- NEWARK -
