Are You Ready For the Snow? (UPDATED)

Update – 2 p.m.: Montclair, West Orange, Maplewood, South Orange, Caldwell-West Caldwell will close school tomorrow, Tuesday, March 14, due to impending storm.

Quick! Get to the supermarket and stock up! There’s a blizzard warning in effect from midnight tonight through late Tuesday night expected to bring 18 – 24 inches of snow and winds gusts up to 40 mph.

Here are local updates you should know:

Montclair
The Montclair Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will keep residents updated as the storm moves into our area and the Township reminds residents that there is no parking on snow-covered streets. Refuse, recycling and bulk waste collection will be suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 14 and 15. There will be no makeup collections. Regular collection schedule will resume on Thursday, March 16. Evening shuttle service from Bay Street Station will be suspended tomorrow.

Bloomfield
Parking lots will be available to park in starting this evening. The parking garage will be open to limited amount of spots at $1 per hour. DPW will be working throughout the day tomorrow to ensure our roads are drivable by Wednesday morning. Garbage and recycling pick up for Tuesday, March 14th has been cancelled

Glen Ridge
There will be NO OVERNIGHT PARKING allowed on any street tonight and throughout the impending blizzard. Central Zone garbage collection scheduled for Tuesday, March 14, 2017 has been canceled. Central Zone garbage will be picked up on Friday, March 17th. North Zone recycling scheduled for Tuesday, March 14, 2017 has also been canceled. The next North Zone recycling collection will be Tuesday, March 21st.

The American Red Cross offers these steps to prepare for and stay safe during this hazardous weather:

1. Have at least a three day supply of water and non-perishable, easy to prepare food as well as a seven day supply of medications.
2. If you need to go outside, dress in layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.
3. Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full. A full tank will help keep the fuel line from freezing.
4. Bring the pets indoors. If that’s not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
5. Avoid frozen pipes – run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.
6. Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.
7. Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away.
8. If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
9. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
10. Charge cell phones and keep flashlights handy in the event of a power outage.

You can also download the free Red Cross Emergency App for instant access to winter storm tips and weather alerts for their area and where loved-ones live. Medical guidance and a hospital locator are included in the free First Aid App in case travelers encounter any mishaps.

Baristanet will keep you updated on local closings and announcements as they come in, but for now, tell us if you’re welcoming what could be the first major snowstorm of the season or if you are dreading it. And tell us what you’re stocking up on!