'Snowmageddon' Update: Hunker down this weekend, parking restrictions in effect in Ventnor

As Downbeach public safety units prepare for Winter Storm Kenan Friday evening into Saturday afternoon, Ventnor City Police Department is asking residents to refrain from parking vehicles on Atlantic, Ventnor and Dorset avenues.

Impacts of the expected 12- to 18-inch snowfall, combined with high winds and up to 50-miles-per-hour gusts, will cause snow drifts. Street flooding is expected to be minor. High tides on Saturday will be at 4:34 a.m. and 5:01 p.m. 

"We are urging you to begin preparations in the anticipation of the blizzard and to remain indoors this weekend. The impact of this storm in our area is going to have emergency responders extremely busy. Only essential personnel should be on the roadways. Please be patient with Public Works as they clear the roadways for emergency vehicles," an Office of Emergency Management spokesperson said in an emergency telephone notification to residents.

Police recommend parking on side streets to allow Public Works crews to keep Atlantic, Ventnor and Dorset avenues passable for emergency vehicles during the height of the storm.

The city will first clear major arteries, including Wellington, Winchester and Monmouth avenues, and Lafayette Avenue leading to the Shalom House senior citizens complex.

Ventnor will start plowing when snow accumulation reaches approximately 2 inches with major arteries as the priority.

Once snow fall ends, snow plowing operations will continue and the priority will shift to clearing all secondary roadways and side streets. If you park in your driveway, the plows will clear to the curb line.

Calling it the big one at a press conference early Friday morning, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy announced a State of Emergency, but no a travel ban, which would mean only essential personnel are permitted on roadways, effective 5 p.m. Friday. However, commercial vehicle restrictions will be in effect. Murphy asked NJ residents to hunker down until Sunday.

In Longport, officials are asking residents to park in their driveways so Public Works crews can plow the streets to the curb line.

The Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management has activated the Emergency Operations Center to coordinate countywide storm preparation and response activities.

• All branches of the Atlantic County Library System will be closed on Saturday (always closed on Sunday)


• The Atlantic County Veterans Museum will be closed on Saturday (always closed on Sunday)


• The Atlantic County Firearms Training Facility will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. RPO Qualifications will be held this evening as scheduled. Those who are unable to attend may reschedule to attend next month.


• COVID-19 testing at the Carnegie Center in Atlantic City will not be available on Saturday.


• Code Blue remains in effect throughout the county until Monday, Jan. 21.


• COVID-19 Testing at 421 Chris Gaupp Drive in Galloway Township will not be available on Saturday and Sunday


• State-issued commercial vehicles restrictions do not include the NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway or Atlantic City Expressway


• Residents are reminded to contact their local office of emergency management for non- life threatening emergencies. Life threatening emergencies should be immediately reported to 9-1-1. A list of local OEM contacts is available at www.readyatlantic.org.

Atlantic Cape Community College has postponed its drive-through COVID-19 vaccination and booster clinic on Saturday. The clinic will now take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Worthington Atlantic City campus, 1535 Bacharach Blvd.

Other common sense precautions include securing outdoor furnishings so they don't become projectiles, keeping pets indoors and checking on senior citizens.

Check your municipal website for additional updates. While you're there, you can register for emergency notifications.