Cold, Snowy Night in Brick: Plows Are Out, But So Is Power

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.