UPDATE WITH SNOW TOTALS, PHOTOS: After Storm, Who Wants White Christmas?

Fall Ends Like a Lion with Piles of Snow, Flooded Streets
COURT HOUSE — The big late fall storm is over and Cape May County survived despite record snowfalls in some local areas. What will winter, which officially began Monday, bring?
Some areas received one to three inches of snow an hour over the weekend of Dec. 19 -20. County Emergency Management Director Frank McCall declared an emergency for the county on Dec. 19 at 7 a.m. The emergency was lifted Monday at 10 a.m., McCall said.
According to McCall, northern parts of the county experienced the largest snow accumulation with Eldora having the most at 18.3 inches. Other areas’ snowfalls included: Seaville, 11.5 inches; Dennisville, 10; South Dennis, 9.5; Green Creek, 9.3; Swainton, 9; North Cape May, 8.3; Dias Creek, 8; Villas, 7.8; Goshen, 7.5; Erma, 6; Ocean City, 6; West Cape May, 5; Cape May, 3; and Scotch Bonnet, 1.5.
McCall said that winds gusting between 20 and 50 m.p.h. and flooding on the barrier islands from Ocean City down to Diamond Beach made it difficult for accurate measurement. He guessed those communities received 3-6 inches on average.
At various times during the storm, the Ninth Street Bridge into Ocean City was closed due to a tug hitting the bridge; the Townsend’s Inlet, George Redding and Route 52 bridges were closed due to flooding; over 2,000 Atlantic City Electric customers in Villas, Swainton, Tuckahoe and Ocean City lost power; the county Park and Zoo were closed; some county library branches were closed; and North Wildwood, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor and Strathmere experienced severe flooding.
National Guard trucks were stationed in Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor, North Wildwood, West Wildwood and Cape May City.
“Do not park your vehicle in a location that is prone to tidal flooding. Do not drive through floodwaters, the water may be deeper than you think it is,” the National Weather Service warned. “A coastal flood advisory indicates that onshore winds and tides will combine to generate flooding of low areas along the shore.”
Three school districts in northern sections of the county were affected by the storm. On Monday, Dennis Township and Woodbine schools were closed, while Ocean City schools operated on a two-hour delay.
McCall lauded an “incredible team effort” between county and municipal emergency workers in clearing the snow from local roads. He was particularly happy that no deaths or serious accidents were reported as a result of the storm.
“The hospital, nursing homes and dialysis centers were top priority,” McCall said. “We concentrated cleanup in those areas first and made sure they were accessible and adequately staffed.”
The county Facilities and Services Department was working to clear all county government parking lots and walkways. They ensured emergency access to Crest Haven Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, the county Corrections Facility and the Youth Shelter. They will continue to monitor icy conditions in parking lots and side walks.
As of Monday, 210 miles of County roads and bridges were open, a county press release stated.
“Please drive with caution,” the county asked residents. “All county roads and bridges have been treated and plowed. However, they are still snow packed. There are several areas of concern as far as snow drifting into the travel lanes but they are being controlled.”
McCall said the county’s success in dealing with this snow emergency was due to its preparedness.
“We began preparations on Dec. 15, putting everyone on notice,” he said. “We were aware of the potential storm on Dec. 12.”
McCall said that the county has requested federal FEMA reimbursement for the expenses it incurred due to the storm through N.J. State Police.
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