The answer for now: Not just yet.
Weather.com is predicting 3-5 inches of snow accumulation for Maplewood/South Orange on Saturday, Jan. 23 and 5-8 inches overnight into Sunday, Jan. 24 (that’s a total of 8-13 inches total). Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
See the forecast here.
However, NJ.com cautions that these things are never certain — until they happen: “Most of the key ingredients for a powerful winter nor’easter this weekend are coming together, but one of the most important elements — the storm track — remains uncertain,” reported Len Melisurgo on NJ.com today.
Melisurgo writes that major concerns for this storm are coastal flooding and beach erosion — storm effects that will not directly impact Maplewood and South Orange, of course.
So, what to do?
It’s always best to be prepared. Here are PSE&G’s tips for winter storm preparation:
PSE&G urges customer to be cautious if they see downed lines. Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with.
To report downed wires or power outages, call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Customers can also report power outages and view the status of an outage by logging in to My Account on pseg.com, PSE&G’s mobile-friendly website.
PSE&G offers the following tips to prepare:
- Charge your cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
- Fill up your car’s fuel tank.
- Check your supply of flashlights, blankets, nonperishable food and bottled water.
- If electricity is interrupted, keep refrigerator doors closed as much as possible.
- Compile a list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.
PSE&G offers a number of ways to stay in touch and informed before, during and after a storm. These tools can be found at pseg.com in the “Storm Center,” under “How you can stay connected.”
- Sign up for My Account and bookmark the mobile-friendly homepage on your smart phone so it’s easy to report outages and check restoration progress.
- To report power outages via text message, and receive outage updates by text and email, sign up for MyAlerts .
- Updated every 15 minutes, PSE&G’s online “Outage Map” displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G’s service territory.
- PSE&G’s Twitter and Facebook pages also keep the public informed about restoration progress. Sign up as a follower to monitor restoration process.
Go to pseg.com/sesamestreet to learn how to download the PSEG and Sesame Street “Let’s Get Ready!” emergency preparedness app, along with tips on how to be ready for any emergency.
