Cold, Snowy Night in Brick: Plows Are Out, But So Is Power
Township begins plowing effort as snowfall defies expectations
Photos
Brick Township began plowing municipal roads Wednesday night as more than 5 inches of snow had fallen.
By Thursday morning, the plowing operation continued, as even streets buried deep in township neighborhoods were treated.
The unusual November snowstorm – one that most forecasters had not predicted – was part of a nor'easter that hung off the New Jersey coast just over a week after Hurricane Sandy made landfall.
Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis said the township had 26 pieces of equipment out on the roads, including 15 plows.
The township began sanding streets Wednesday afternoon, but switched to a plowing effort as the storm unexpectedly ramped up.
Meteorologists had originally predicted the storm would only bring rain to the Shore area, or a dusting to an inch of snow at most.
"We're plowing now," Acropolis said late Wednesday night. "The sanders aren't going to do it."
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly said the snow, for the most part, should slow by 7 a.m. Thursday, but a chance of snow or rain showers was possible until noon.
"For the most part, it's a one-pass storm, so we'll take care of the five inches and go from there," Acropolis said.
The heavy, wet nature of the snow also weighed heavily on tree branches and power lines, leading to power outages around town.
Brick residents reported seeing the telltale sign of blown transformers: a momentary green-blue-lit sky followed by a "zapping" sound.
By 2:30 a.m. Wednesday night, 10,905 customers in Brick were out of power out of approximately 34,000 total customers, according to Jersey Central Power & Light.
Officials said the Herbertsville section on the north side of town was among the hardest hit.
Callaspade Aspade
11:25 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
there's a 6 inch dusting on our deck.
Daniel Nee
11:32 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Yup. I took a few measurements outside (patio, roof of car, by the mailbox) and averaged it out. Definitely possible to have a 6 inch drift out there. Who saw this one coming?
tgidlta
11:27 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Thinking of all of you!
Kristina g.
11:41 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I keep seeing what looks like strikes of lightening right outside my bedroom window but there are absolutely no power lines or transformers in our neighborhood. They are all underground and meet up on Beaversonblvd. What in the heck could I be seeing!?!
Glenn
11:46 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Aliens? :)
M22
11:53 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Glad to see that you changed the story..... :)
M22
11:54 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Is the town plowing or are volunteers plowing? Some man in a beat up pick up truck plowed our street. He's not a neighbor and no one knew who he was.
Daniel Nee
2:00 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
As far as I know, it's just the town. They've used contractors in the past, though I don't know of any "volunteer plowing" going on.
Paul Pallante
12:14 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
beat up pickup...that is what is known as an 'independent contractor' I assume LOL
Daniel Nee
2:01 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
I once saw someone plowing a street in Herbertsville with a late model Range Rover, so takes all kinds in a snowstorm. ;)
jenny
12:16 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Forge pond area....just heard a few explosion type sounds and then power went out. Wind looks like its picking up some, big branches coming down from the weight of snow. Very scary.
Anthony Liscio
12:32 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Note to all brick residents. I was informed by the Brick PD that there is an ordinance prohibiting any and all people from picking up or "recycling " curbside trash without permission from homeowner. So if you see pickers trying to make a buck off your tragedy ....please call brick pd and they will respond. It's just wrong. Show some respect people.
Resident
6:12 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
You want people to call the cops on people that are possibly eaking out a living by going through your recycling? Do you also run out in the front yard and yell at the kids when their ball goes on your grass? Its tough times, show some respect for those that unfortunately might need your recycling to live on....
lisa
6:39 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
hey i'm with you resident. if someones picking through my garbage they can have at it. ones mans trash is another mans treasure! the last thing i'm doing is calling the cops on them!
JHill
7:22 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
I'm sure the cops will be there within minutes! You know, since they don't have to worry about the downed trees, flood damage, power outages or anything like that.
You don't like people taking your trash? Drop it off at the recycling center so your precious garbage will be safe and sound.
Jose
12:53 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
kristina g., what you'revseeing are transformers blowing. thoae strikes of lighting can be seen from miles away.
Daniel Nee
2:03 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
True. The blue/green coloration is a product of the copper burning.
BW
7:05 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
9 days without power 24 hours with power, wonder how many days this time. Well thank god we were able to buy a generator.
If this is a sign of the winter ahead of us, we are in a heap of trouble
Susan
7:36 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
about an hour after the power went out with Sandy last Monday night, the sky lit up like a laser light show at one point. My 11 yo & I saw it and it was kind of freaky!
Hope everyone is safe today!
Bowie Thelonius
10:12 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
We saw it too! In Point Pleasant. My daughter and I saw it, very freaky looking. The sky was a lime green color.
WMS826
7:52 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Glad we laid off half our public works people right about now..good job Steve!
Erin Clancy Lazzarini
8:13 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Forge Pond also. I might cry if we are out for 9 days again
Melissa Thomson
10:06 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
We'll be crying together.
Sall
8:25 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Power flickered on and off about 5 times last night, i was getting more and more worried about a surge.
RCL67
8:45 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
It's going to be a long winter folks!
H&frustrated
10:47 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
JHill: I am sick of your mean comments. Get a life and get help. If u have nothing to say shut the $&@ up! There are people dead, homeless, people from all all over trying to help those in need they are not bitching. You should b ashamed of yourself. Go to a shelter and help.
Donna Lee
11:57 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Dont know what anyone else was seeing but all night i saw continuous different color "lightning"& my power was off since 9. or so
Mary Ann
12:38 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Fortunately we never got our power back so same ol', same ol'. We too saw flashes in the sky last night and when I looked at the JCP&L outage map today, noted that their outages went from 7000 or 8000+ y'day to 13,200+ today. Someone up there either doesn't like us or has a very strange sense of humor! Stay safe and warm everyone.
MW
12:44 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
A big thanks to Dominion, Ertel, and PSE&G for working hard to restore the power on Princeton Ave. and Jordan Rd. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!!! Stay safe!
MW
12:50 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Oops, it's ATEC not PSE&G...
jenny
1:03 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Dominion rocks!!!!! A million thanks!
Mary Ann
1:21 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Amen on Dominion! Saw many of their trucks on Princeton this morning. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!