Monmouth County Preparing for Storm's Arrival

What has started as a wet storm should turn to snow sometime over the night and crews have already set out to work on the roads in Monmouth County. 

That work has included applying a salt brine to the roads to prevent them from freezing according to a press release from the county. Crews will also be using rock salt on the roads  as the snow comes. 

Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone said the county is being proactive as the county waits to see what the full affect of the storm will be. "We prepare for storms well in advance," he said. "Our snow room is activated and we are monitoring the storm's progress throughout the day and into the weekend."

Arnone said there will be "a full complement of crews out clearing the county roads." That includes the possibility of using 150 trucks and equipment according to John W. Tobia, the director of the county's Department of Public Works and Engineering.

When the full force of the storm is felt it could include heavy snow and wind lasting until at least tomorrow morning. Monmouth County is expected to get up to eight inches of snow and with the wind and ice travel on the roadway could be hazardous for motorists.

"The key is to keep the ice and snow from bonding to the road surface," Tobia said. "You may notice that the lanes will be slushy instead of iced over. That's the first step before the plows come by and push it all aside."

There is also a chance for power outages as a result of the strong winds. The county's Shade Tree Commission and Traffic Safety crews are "on stand-by," to deal with downed tree limbs and other issues should they be needed.