Here is some noteworthy info for you as you ready for the first major snowstorm of the season. This information comes directly from both PSE&G and New Jersey Transit.
And please, remember your pets, don’t leave them outside in frigid temperatures. Here are some COLD WEATHER TIPS to keep your pets safe!
Please leave us a comment if there are other items you think neighbors should know about. Stay warm, stay safe everyone!
Per PSE&G:
Important Information as PSE&G Prepares for Storm
Extra personnel and equipment at the ready
PSE&G is preparing for the approaching storm system that could bring snow, freezing rain and high winds to our service territory. We are scheduling additional personnel in the field, fueling trucks and have spare poles and other equipment available.
While snow and wind normally don’t pose a serious problem, icing on lines and trees can increase the possibility of downed wires and power outages. These types of conditions also make it difficult for our crews to get around, and we can’t go up in buckets to make repairs if there are high winds. We will respond to outages and no-heat calls around the clock – as quickly and safely as possible.
In advance of the storm, we advise customers to prepare an emergency kit that includes:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Manual can opener for food
- Cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices that have been charged
We also urge customers to be cautious during and after the storm:
- To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline powered engine, including generators and snowblowers, in a garage or any other enclosed space.
- Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with.
To report downed wires or power outages, call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. You can also report power outages and view the status of an outage by logging in to My Account on pseg.com, PSE&G’s mobile-friendly website.
PSE&G offers a number of ways to stay in touch and informed before, during and after a storm. These tools can be found in the “Outage Center,” at pseg.com under “Outage Tools.”
- Sign up for My Account and bookmark our homepage on your smart phone so it’s easy to report outages and check restoration progress.
- To report power outages via text message, and receive outage updates by text and email, sign up for MyAlerts.
- Updated every 15 minutes, PSE&G’s online “Outage Map” displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G’s service territory.
From New Jersey Transit:
NJ TRANSIT Announces Full, Systemwide Cross-Honoring due to Snow Storm – Effective Through Monday, January 25, 2016
With the latest winter storm moving toward the region, NJ TRANSIT operations, customer service and police personnel are taking steps to minimize delays, and ensure service reliability and safety due to the approaching winter storm. All customers are strongly advised to check njtransit.com before traveling for up-to-the-minute service information before starting their trip.
Customers who would like to contact NJ TRANSIT can click on “Contact Us” on the homepage.
Customers are strongly urged to exercise extreme caution traveling in and around all transit facilities and when boarding or alighting buses and trains due to the expected icy conditions.
Systemwide Cross-Honoring in Effect on January 23 and January 24:
To give customers additional travel options during the expected winter weather conditions, NJ TRANSIT will offer full system-wide cross-honoring beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode – rail, light rail or bus – including private bus carriers.
For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass or ticket on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station. Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge. Customers using their tickets or passes to travel to a destination other than the destination printed on their original ticket will be subject to the appropriate additional fare if applicable.
NJ TRANSIT will also continue to closely monitor the crowds at New York Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal and make adjustments to service as necessary.
The corporation is preparing to minimize disruptions and delays to the extent possible. Rail and light rail crews and equipment are on standby to quickly respond to downed trees, power outages or other issues that may arise. In addition, NJ TRANSIT will be positioning locomotives at strategic locations across the rail system to rapidly respond in the event of a disabled train.
Customers are advised of the following:
- Systemwide: NJ TRANSIT plans to operate a regular weekend schedule on Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24. Depending on the impact of the storm, it may be necessary for NJ TRANSIT to modify service as conditions change.
- Bus Service: While every effort will be made to continue operating bus service throughout the state, customers may experience delays or detours on their routes in the event of extreme winter weather conditions. Customers are advised to plan accordingly and anticipate disruptions to bus service.
- Access Link Service: This service will be suspended for Saturday, January 23, and will have a delayed start time of noon on Sunday, January 24.
Travel Advice:
- For the latest travel information, visit njtransit.com or access our Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT prior to starting your trip. In the event of delays or service adjustments, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager. (If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, we encourage you to sign up at www.njtransit.com/mytransit) Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
- Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
- Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop.
- Stairs, flooring and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains.
- Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or NJ TRANSIT staff.
- If you park, ensure your car is stocked with a snow brush and ice scraper so you can clear your car upon returning to the lot.
NJ TRANSIT is prepared to handle the impending winter weather:
- Snow plows and salt spreaders are ready for service and snow-removal contracts are in place with outside vendors.
- NJ TRANSIT is well-stocked with 20,000 bags of snow-melting supplies, and hundreds of shovels and snow blowers.
- NJ TRANSIT has performed maintenance and testing on its two rail-mounted jet snow blowers in the event they are needed to help clear train tracks of snow and ice, particularly in rail yards.
- More than 750 rail switches, switch heaters and overhead wires have already been inspected as part of NJ TRANSIT’s preventative maintenance program.
- Onboard heating systems, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components have been inspected on NJ TRANSIT railcars, light rail cars and locomotives.
- Bus maintenance personnel have inspected and performed necessary maintenance on a fleet of nearly 2,200 buses – from the heating and airbrake systems, to the engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers and doors.
Offices of Emergency Management Code Blue
Additional information can be attained through the Offices of Emergency Management. The Code Blue notifications and resources openedin response to severe cold or storm events.
Click HERE for NJ Office of Emergency Management information.