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Area police and OEM directors are warning residents to be mindful of the calm in the weekend storm.

Having just completed a county-wide conference call, officials now anticipate 50 to 60 mile per hour wind gusts along the Jersey shore and up to 24 inches of snow, a report from Deal’s Chief of Police and OEM coordinator Ronen Neuman said.

Ocean Township Police have asked motorist to remain off the roadways as driving conditions remain poor. There are heavy snow bands and limited visibility due to blowing and drifting snow, a news release from the police department states.

“The DPW is working hard to clear the roadways and disabled vehicles only hinder their operations,” the release states. “We’ve had power outages in multiple locations and JCP&L has been notified.”

The utility company currently is responding to the close to 7,000 customers without power in Ocean, Avon, Neptune and Monmouth Beach.

“They will get to everyone but the time frame is unknown as they continue to work hard in extreme weather conditions,” officials said.

In Asbury, those located within the 1400 block area of Asbury and Prospect avenues lost power due to weather related pole damage, according to the municipality’s Facebook Page.

Deal Police asks that you also inform their police department of any power outages.

“If power outages occur we will open warming centers at our municipal buildings and Fire Departments,” Deal officials said.

In Asbury Park, motorists also are asked to remain off the roadways.

NJ Transit has suspended all operations until further notice.

Residents working to clear the first wave of snow fall are asked to be mindful as the shovel pathways and sidewalks.

“Take your time shoveling and use caution for black ice covered by snow,” a news release from the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce warns. Do not shovel snow or aim snow blowers on to the street.

Snow should be removed at all exit ways, doors, and fire escapes. Since all Fire Department connections must be cleared of snow and ice, the city askes that if a fire hydrant is on your property to please help by clearing it of snow.

Sidewalks in front of city properties must be cleared of snow-fall 12 hours after the storm’s end.

The second high tide occurs between 7pm and 10pm along the shoreline.

Emergency alerts in Asbury Park will be issued via Nixle. To sign up, click here: City of Asbury Park Police Department Nixle.

In cases of emergency, dial 911 but for non-emergent reports, dial (732) 774-1300.

To reach city hall, dial (732) 775-2100. To reach the fire department, call (732) 775-6300.

Snow removal and road salting questions should be directed to the Department of Public Works at (732) 775-0900.

In Deal, residents can follow social media links for reports www.dealpolice.org.

In Ocean Township, follow links available at www.oceantwop.org.

For more information about the storm, visit www.weather.gov.

The attached PDF from the Monmouth County weather briefing is available here.

[Storm photos in article courtesy of Dino Lavorini of Asbury Park]
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The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

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