This winter season, know where to go in event of an emergency situation this winter and how to find out about school closings in the event of dangerous weather conditions.
As temperatures continue to drop, Voorhees Township and area schools have guidelines in place in preparing for the winter season and massive amounts of snow.
Camden County issues a “Code Blue” when temperatures dip below 32 degrees, creating dangerous weather conditions for residents. In such events, the homeless population, as well as those in dangerous situations caused by the weather, are directed toward safe locations if they need emergency shelter.
“The worst thing is if you’re home and your heat breaks; if you’re home and you lose power, it gets cold quickly,” said Larry Spellman, township administrator for Voorhees Township. “The Code Blue locations for Voorhees residents are the [Vogelson] library and the Voorhees Town Center.”
Residents can seek emergency shelter with friends and family if their power shuts off during dangerous weather conditions as well, however these emergency locations are also available to all Voorhees residents as well, if needed.
In the event power shuts off for whatever reason, residents can reach their power provider, depending on their section of town, to make aware of the situation and need of power after having reached a heated location. PSE&G can be reached at 1–800–436-PSEG, Atlantic City Electric can be reached at 1–800–833–7476 and South Jersey Gas can be reached at 1–800–582–7060.
In preparation for winter storms, Director of Public Works Joe Lovallo says Voorhees Township uses brine up to three days before snowfall, as long as no rain is on the way, to prepare the roads. The township has 26 trucks to plow the roads with in the event of snow.
However, there are things residents can do prior to snowfall to help the township make the process of clearing the roads easier.
“A big help would be if everyone can remove their cars from being parked in the roads,” Lovallo said. “That can help us plow curb-to-curb by parking in the driveway.”
Lovallo says the township is plowing while it snows, however it can often take a long period of time to clear the roads after it has stopped snowing, even with all available workers out on the roads.
“It can take anywhere from three to eight hours after the snow falls so it does take time,” Lovallo said.
The township is not responsible for all roads in Voorhees Township, as the state plows and treats Route 73 while Camden County takes care of county roads, such as Burnt Mill Road, Evesham Road and more.
Additional information can be found at www.voorheesnj.comby clicking on the Public Works tab in the Departments section, and going to Snow Removal Guidelines.
As for schools in Voorhees Township, Eastern Regional High School’s school closing number is 578. The school will notify parents from the school messaging system via phone call and text of closings or delays. The school also recommends parents and students tune to local TV and radio stations for information regarding closings as well.
The decision to delay or cancel is typically made by 5:45 a.m. or earlier, based on information on road conditions sent from the sending districts, the amount of snow and ice accumulated, the weather forecast for that day and additional factors.
Voorhees Township Public Schools’ closing number is 574, and the district uses SchoolMessenger to notify school closings, delayed openings and early closings. Parents and guardians will receive a recorded phone message on all telephone numbers listed in the student database.
Both schools also direct parents and guardians to their websites for additional information regarding school closings or delays.
