East Orange, NJ, January 3, 2024: The City of East Orange has issued a winter weather and parking advisory for Saturday, January 6 through Sunday, January 7 for what could be the region’s first Nor’easter since 2022.
According to the latest National Weather Service forecast, a mix of snow and rain, along with freezing temperatures, is expected in the East Orange area beginning Saturday evening and continuing throughout the weekend.
On Saturday night, snow is likely after 6pm with a low around 29 degrees and a 90 percent chance of snow heading into Sunday with a high near 38 degrees.
City officials are encouraging residents to exercise extreme caution when traveling and to adhere to all snow parking regulations, including parking near curbs. Vehicles parked too close to the corner can deter visibility for oncoming motorists and create hazardous driving conditions.
**Reverse 9-1-1 calls from both the City of East Orange and the East Orange Board of Education will provide updates on school closings and emergency alerts. Please check your messages.**
“It’s been nearly two years since we’ve had to brace for a potential snowstorm, but we’ve always been prepared. Our Emergency Preparedness Team met today to proactively prepare for the worst case scenario so we can best handle whatever weather comes our way,” said Mayor Ted R. Green. “We also ask residents to be sure to check on our elderly and disabled residents to assist them in any way you can.”
Parking and Snow Removal
All snow emergency parking rules are in effect. Motorists should adhere to all NO PARKING signs on county and city roads. **Overnight parking rules will be strictly enforced.**
As the storm progresses, residents are asked NOT to shovel snow into the street. Business owners are required to shovel snow from in front of their properties within fours hours of the snow stopping, while residents have up to eight hours. Plowing will begin when snow depths reach two inches and freezing temperatures indicate no melting.
NOTE: The only way to avoid additional snow removal is to wait until DPW work crews have completed their final clean-up of your road.
- Most streets will require three or four passes
- Some streets may require as few as two passes, or, as many as five passes
Code Blue
A Code Blue Weather Emergency notice is issued when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. No one who is homeless or seeking shelter during a Code Blue will be denied. During Code Blue Weather emergencies, outreach workers will connect homeless residents with resources available for immediate shelter. If you see someone who needs shelter, please call 973.266.5000.
Safety Tips
- Drive slowly.
- Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.
- Try to keep your vehicle’s gas tank as full as possible.
- Park cars in private driveways or secure them on off-street lots.
- Share driveway space or garage with neighbors
- If you must venture out, car pool or use mass transit
- Equip vehicles with snow tires or chains
- Be aware of parking restrictions when road is snow covered
- Shovel snow onto your own property
- Shovel snow away from fire hydrants near your property
- DO NOT shovel snow into the street
- DO NOT park on the street, if possible
- DO NOT shovel snow on top of fire hydrants
- DO NOT shovel snow onto storm sewers
Essex County Public Works has designated workers to ensure that all county roadways are accessible for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
The following East Orange streets are Essex County Roads:
- South Orange Ave
- Central Avenue
- Park Avenue
- North/South Grove St
- Sanford Street
The City of East Orange does not provide snow removal services to private property – residential or commercial.
Important Telephone Numbers
- East Orange Public Works Department: (973) 266-5330
- East Orange Police Department: (973) 266-5000
- East Orange Fire Department: (973) 266-5500
- East Orange Office of Emergency Management: (973) 677-8924
- Emergency: 9-1-1
- PSE&G: (800) 436-7734
- Emergency PSE&G: (800) 880-7734
- East Orange Code Enforcement/No Heat Hotline: (973) 266-5320, ext. 9 (if calling after hours)
- New Jersey Transit: (973) 275-5555
- Sewer & Water Emergency: (973) 266-8869
