On Monday, cold reality struck, informing southern New Jersey in no uncertain terms that it is winter, closing schools and other facilities.
The heavy snow closed schools through Tuesday, made roads dangerous and caused the roof to push down on an Asbury Avenue dry cleaning business in Ocean City, making the walls buckle.
People across the region woke Monday to find a white wonderland outside their window, excited by the first snowfall of the season until they had to go out and clean off their car to go to work.
Schools around the region closed in anticipation of the storm and remained closed Tuesday as workers labored to remove the snow and ice.
Somers Point School District Superintendent Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder said she participated in a conference call with other superintendents as the storm was approaching.
“We review information with our bus companies and have weather forecaster input,” she said. “It was too significant today and safety is always my first priority.”
Despite the efforts of public works departments, roads remained a slippery mess as temperatures fell into the teens overnight, freezing everything in place and making for a bumpy ride.
According to NBC10, Ocean City saw 14 inches fall across the island.
Northfield has 12.4 inches, Somers Point 11 and Marmora 9 inches.
Due to the winter storm, trash and recycling pickup was postponed Monday in Ocean City. All pickup on routes normally scheduled for Monday was set to resume Tuesday. Routes normally scheduled for Tuesday pickup were still on the schedule.
The Ocean City Community Center and all facilities within it (Ocean City Free Public Library, Aquatic and Fitness Center, Historical Museum, Arts Center and Senior Center) closed at noon Monday and programs at the Ocean City Civic Center were canceled. City Hall remained open on a regular schedule.
Atlantic City International Airport in Egg Harbor Township closed after more than 9.5 inches of snow fell. The airport later reopened around 9 p.m. Atlantic City ended up receiving a new daily record of 13 inches of snow Monday, smashing the previous daily snowfall record of 2.8 inches from 2014.
On Monday, the Linwood Police Department was “urging everyone to please stay off the road unless it is essential. As the snow slows down and temperatures drop, the roads are becoming icy. We have already had several motor vehicle accidents today due to the conditions and we want you all to remain safe.”
“Road conditions are not safe to be traveling at this point in time. If you and your children are outside enjoying the snow, please make sure they are not near the roadways,” read a statement on the department’s Facebook page.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy had issued a state of emergency for five southern New Jersey counties Sunday night.
“Residents should stay off the roads, remain vigilant and follow all safety protocols,” Murphy said.
During the evening hours as the storm drew to a close, he added that the state of emergency would remain in place for the impacted counties.
“I think people were smart enough to stay home,” Somers Point Emergency Management Director Phil Gaffney said. “I think people were heeding the advice of the governor.”
Police Chief Robert Somers said the city temporarily shut down the Route 52 causeway until the state could get there to plow.
“Cars were sliding sideways trying to get up that first hill, a semi was sliding backward,” he said.
Somers said the department responded to a lot of disabled motor vehicles and there were multiple accidents but “nothing serious.”
He said the major issue Tuesday was all of the ice.
“The Public Works Department kept on it all day and through the night Monday,” he said. “We’re in really good shape, all things considered.”
Walls buckle on business
The walls on GG’s Diamond Cleaners at 609 Asbury Ave., which had been there more than 80 years, buckled outward overnight due to the heavy snow on the roof, which partially collapsed.
The part of the building damaged was the single-level dry cleaning portion adjacent to the main building. Ocean City police and firefighters were on scene Tuesday morning as owner James Hong waited for construction engineers to assess the damage.
He said no one was injured as public safety officials blocked off the area to keep people safe.
Hong said he has owned the business for 30 years and the former owner had been there another 50 years. He said it was the first time there was a problem with the building. “Bad luck,” he added.
Hong said his priority was with everyone’s safety. “I’m not worried about the building,” he said. “I’m worried about my helper and my tenants.”
City officials said the tenants in the adjacent building were temporarily displaced as the structure is assesed.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK and DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
