Mayor: Weekend Snow Could Be Like '08 Storm

The National Weather Service reports that Long Valley and the surrounding areas may be hit with up to a foot of snow in some areas before daybreak on Sunday, Oct. 30.

Rain is expected to fall on the area throughout Saturday morning, then mix with snow early in the afternoon, and turn into a heavy, wet snow as the day turns into night.

“With the leaves still on the trees, we are expecting major road blockages and power outages due to fallen trees,” Washington Township Mayor Ken Short said. “This could be comparable to the storm of Oct. 28, 2008 when hundreds of homes were without power for several days.”

Jersey Central Power & Light, the area’s energy provider, has already begun mobilizing its resources, and is bringing in crews from out of state for tree cutting and power restoration, Short said.

“Based on current forecasts and predictions, we are proactively positioning our crews to get them out ahead of the storm to minimize the impact the severe weather could have on our customers,” said JCP&L President Donald M. Lynch in a press release. “For example, crews from our Ohio utilities and additional hazard teams and support staff are on their way to assist us.”

A meeting of the township’s emergency management officials is set to take place Saturday morning, and the Department of Public Works has its snow removal equipment prepared for the impending storm, Short said.