High Wind Watch for Hunterdon County

The Borough of Califon Office of Emergency Management is announcing a High Wind Watch for Hunterdon County. Information will be provided to the public as it becomes available.

A High Wind Watch has been issued for Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon.  A High Wind Watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event.  Sustained winds of at least 40MPH or gusts of 58MPH or stronger may occur.  Presently, sustained wind speeds of 20 to 30 MPH, with gusts up to 60 MPH are forecast. Additionally, accumulating snow is possible on Saturday and Saturday night.

The biggest concern, with the storm anticipated for this weekend, is the wind, and we may compare it to Sandy that had 80 mph winds. This storm might not be far off regarding wind strength. Residents should prepare for sustained power outages and have generators prepared ahead of time..

Preparedness measures should be taken as soon as possible due to the threat of extended power outages as a result of the winds.

The Borough of Califon Office of Emergency Management will be providing warming shelters on an as needed basis. Warming Shelters will be available in Califon Borough at the following locations:

Califon Firehouse
41 Main Street
Califon

Califon First Aid Squad
107 Bank Street
Califon

Shelters will be available on an as needed basis, and if they are needed the initial hours will be as follows:

Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

I you have any questions, or if you are concerned about any elderly neighbors, please contact Beth Wolfmayer at 908-398-7351 if either concern, assistance or information is needed or warranted.

The Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor forecast data and forward all information received from the National Weather Service.

The forecast for this weekend is as follows:

HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON…

* WINDS…NORTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH.

* TIMING…THE HIGHEST WINDS SHOULD OCCUR LATE SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS…BE PREPARED FOR POWER OUTAGES, POSSIBLY LASTING FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. DO NOT PARK VEHICLES WHERE TREES CAN FALL ON THEM. MAKE SURE ALL CELL PHONE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE FULLY CHARGED. IF YOU HAVE GENERATORS, PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY ARE WORKING PROPERLY AND PROPERLY VENTILATED. EXPECT BRIDGE RESTRICTIONS.

* SNOW…TWO TO FOUR INCHES OF SNOW EXPECTED SATURDAY AFTERNOON INTO SATURDAY NIGHT. A BURST OF ONE TO TWO INCHES OF SNOW WITHIN AN HOUR IS POSSIBLE AROUND DINNER TIME SATURDAY.

THE WIND WILL CAUSE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING PROBLEMS.

* WIND CHILLS…AROUND 10 BELOW ZERO ON SUNDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH…OR GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

Last modified: April 3, 2022