UPDATE: Berkeley Township Public Works Ready For Whatever 'Nemo' Brings

Just what winter storm "Nemo" will drop on Berkeley Township on Friday into Saturday still isn't known.

But whatever it is, the Berkeley Township Public Works Department is well prepared for it, Public Works Supervisor Steven J. Seiler said this afternoon.

"We have about 1,000 tons of salt and sand ready to go," he said. "Our sand trucks are set up for sanding. All our plows are ready to go and contractors lined up. If we do have a snow event, we will have about 100 pieces of equipment on the road, between in-house and our contractors."

Seiler - who has more than 40 years experience with the Berkeley Public Works Department - isn't anticipating a blizzard, if the current weather predictions hold.

"I'm not too worried about it,' he said. "It looks like it will be mainly a rain event. But we are ready."

Seiler made the remarks to Berkeley Patch before the National Weather Service issued an update this afternoon announcing a winter storm warning, which means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice are possible, with strong winds.

The National Weather Service also issued a coastal flood watch for Ocean County. Widespread minor tidal flooding is forecast during high tide on Friday evening. Widespread moderate tidal flooding is expected during the Saturday morning oceanfront high tide, around 6:13 a.m.

Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said the township has already reinstalled snow fence on South Seaside Park beachs and bulked up dunes with Christmas trees, since Superstorm Sandy roared into Ocean County on Oct. 29.

"The majority of the sand that was dumped in the streets has been screened and reinstalled," Amato said. "We are in the process of working with Seaside Park to have the Army Corps come in with beach and dune fortification."

The National Weather Service is calling for rain during the day on Friday, heavy at times, with a high of 39 degrees. Winds will be from the east at 16 to 24 miles per hour. The chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Between three-quarters and one inch of precipitation is possible

Friday night expect rain before 11 p.m., then snow. Rain and snow will be heavy at times, with a low near 26 degrees. Winds will switch to the north at 21 to 24 miles per hour. New snow accumulations of between three to five inches are possible.

Saturday the weather service is calling for snow, mainly before 10 a.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Expect partly sunny skies later in the day as the storm moves out, with a high near 34 degrees. Winds will be from the northwest at 21 to 29 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 43 miles per hour.

Saturday night will be mostly clear and cold, with a low near 19 degrees.

Come back to Berkeley Patch for any updates on the storm