Bethlehem Township NJ Office of Emergency Management

04/17/2026

Landline telephone provider Brightspeed is currently experiencing a widespread technology failure. The Hunterdon County Communications Center has determined this is affecting many police department and administrative phone lines. If the public attempts to contact their municipal police department and are met with a busy signal, they should hang up and dial 908-806-5817 to reach the dispatch center. This number should also be used by our partner agencies attempting to reach the dispatch center for any needs. The 911 and Text-to-911 systems remain fully operational. The outage is affecting the Center's ability to receive reports from alarm companies (police, fire, & medical related alarm activations). There is no timeframe for when Brightspeed expects to complete repairs to rectify the failure.

03/16/2026

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH IT WILL BE IN
EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING. NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE FOR SEVERE WEATHER.

02/22/2026

A Blizzard Warning has been issued for Hunterdon County and is in effect until 6PM tomorrow, 2/23. The NWS has forecast 18”- 25” of snow and winds gusting as high as 45MPH for our area.
*What is a Blizzard Warning? Issued for winter storms with sustained or frequent winds of 35 mph or higher with considerable falling and/or blowing snow that frequently reduces visibility to 1/4 of a mile or less. These conditions are expected to prevail for a minimum of 3 hours.
*Life-threatening / impossible travel conditions are likely tonight / overnight. Do not travel during the peak of the storm.
*Prepare for power outages. Strong, gusty winds combined with the weight of heavy, wet snow pose a substantial risk of utility and tree damage. Those without power will need to shelter in place until conditions improve. Charge devices today.

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02/21/2026

Here we go again. Another winter storm. Current updates for what to expect Sunday into Monday.

*Storm Overview

A strengthening coastal storm will impact Hunterdon County Sunday morning through Monday afternoon.
Minimal impacts Sunday morning through early afternoon, with pavements mainly wet as temperatures remain above 32°F.
Impacts increase late Sunday afternoon, especially after sunset, as temperatures fall and snowfall intensity ramps up.
Bulk of impacts Sunday night into Monday morning.
This will be a long duration as precipitation begins Sunday and is not expected to taper off until Monday afternoon.
*Precipitation & Snowfall

Precipitation begins Sunday morning, possibly starting as rain near and south of I-78 before changing to snow.
Snow becomes steadier Sunday afternoon.
Heaviest snowfall expected Sunday evening through Monday morning.
Snowfall rates of 2”+ per hour possible during peak periods.
Updated expected totals: 8–12 inches countywide, with increasing confidence in higher-end amounts.
Snow will likely impact both the Monday morning and potentially evening commutes.
*Wind Impacts

Northeast winds increase Sunday and persist through Monday (possibly into Monday night).
Strongest winds: Sunday night into Monday morning.
Inland gusts (including Hunterdon County): up to 40 mph.
Blowing and drifting snow likely, especially in open and rural areas.
Gusty winds combined with heavy, wet snow may cause:
Isolated to scattered power outages
Localized tree damage
*Travel & Infrastructure Impacts

Travel conditions may become very difficult to impossible Sunday night into Monday morning.
Rapid roadway deterioration expected after sunset Sunday.
Blowing and drifting snow may reduce visibility.
Potential for:
Widespread school and business closures Monday
Delays to emergency response operations
Infrastructure strain due to heavy snow load
*Timeline Summary

Sunday Morning – Early Afternoon

Precipitation begins
Mainly wet roads; limited impacts
Late Sunday Afternoon

Snow intensity increases
Road conditions begin to deteriorate
Sunday Night – Monday Morning (Peak Impact Window)

Heavy snow
2”/hr rates possible
40 mph wind gusts
Blowing/drifting snow
Hazardous to impossible travel
Monday Afternoon

Snow tapers
Winds gradually diminish
Cleanup operations continue

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02/08/2026

There are currently 290 power outages throughout Hunterdon County. Wind chills tonight are expected to range between 15 and 20 degrees below 0. Advise family, friends, and neighbors that an overnight warming center is available at the Hunterdon County RT12 complex in Raritan Twp.

02/07/2026

In case a warming center is needed this weekend.

Please call NJ211 first if there is no availability through NJ211 then you may be routed to the below.

Code Blue Warming Center in the Assembly Space of Building #1 at the Route 12 Campus, located at 314 State Highway 12 in Raritan Township.

The Code Blue Warming Center will operate from 5:00 PM today, Friday, February 6, through 9:00 AM on Monday, February 9th.

02/06/2026

01/22/2026

1/22/26 5PM Storm Update:

So, rather then copy and pasting the entire updates, here are key takeaways:

-A long-duration, high-impact winter storm is expected from late Saturday night through early Monday afternoon across eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey (including Hunterdon County). Snow is expected to begin early Sunday morning (around 3–6 AM) and taper off around midday Monday.
The heaviest snowfall period is forecast Sunday between 10 AM and 4 PM, with snowfall rates exceeding 1 inch per hour and possibly reaching 2 inches per hour during peak intensity.

Total maximum amounts vary bewteen NWS and Weatherworks, but it is anticipated between 8-12 with a chance of upwards to 18 inches by the time its all said and done.

Snow, Ice and winds will hazardous travel issues and a chance for power disruptions.

Our DPW is prepared as always. Myself and our Deputy OEM will be monitoring the storm as well and be in contat with our DPW and Mayor Paul J. Muir as well asour Utility Reps as needed.

Get the sleds and hot cocoa ready for the kids and hot tea and tylenol or advill for the adults that have to shovel. Also, if needed check in on your neighbors, especially the seniors and those that may need asssistance.

Send a message to learn more

01/22/2026

Current Weather Updates being passed down to our Municipal OEM for this upcoming weekend A Winter Storm Watch is in Effect fo our area Saturnday NIght Through Monday Morning with an anticipated accumulations of 6+ inches, and possibility of higher amounts.

01/22/2026

Current Weather Updates being passed down to our OEM for this upcoming weekend A Winter Storm Watch is in Effect fo our area Saturnday NIght Through Monday Morning with an anticipated accumulations of 6+ inches, and possibility of higher

Winter Storm Summary

Winter Storm Watch in effect from late Saturday night through Monday for Hunterdon County, and the surrounding counties of Mercer, Morris, Somerset, and Warren.

High confidence of major impacts on Sunday, with the heaviest snow occurring during the daytime.

Heavy snowfall rates of 1–2 inches per hour are possible, leading to significant accumulations (6+ inches) and potentially major totals (up to 12+ inches) depending on mixing.

Some sleet or freezing rain may mix in Sunday evening into overnight, especially in southern and coastal areas, worsening travel conditions.

Travel is expected to be very difficult, with potential for widespread closures and infrastructure disruptions.

Cold temperatures will worsen conditions, with melting today followed by refreezing tonight, then a fresh surge of arctic air behind Friday’s front.

Dangerous cold and wind chills (single digits to below zero) are expected beginning Friday night and lasting several nights after the storm, increasing risks of hypothermia and possible infrastructure impacts.

Confidence is high for a large-scale snow removal and recovery operation following the storm.

01/21/2026

Current updates are showimg increased chance of snowfall this weekend. Now with a 60%-80% chance 6+ inches of snow Sat thru Mon.
Anyone else tired if snow yet???

"We are continuing to monitor the increasing potential for an impactful winter storm this weekend, as well as a prolonged period of exceptional cold beginning Friday. More information is below and attached.

Here are the key messages:
Confidence in an impactful winter storm affecting the area has further increased since yesterday.
Snow appears most likely Saturday night through Sunday night, perhaps lasting into early Monday morning.
It is now probable at least several inches of snowfall will occur across a large portion of the area. However specific details regarding amounts and where the heaviest snow occurs will become clearer with time. It is now possible the storm will track close enough to the area that a change to a wintry mix could occur over portions of Delmarva into southern NJ at the height of the storm late Sunday.
The latest percentages for six inches of snow (or more) are in the 60% to 80% range for areas northwest of I-95 and generally in the 80% to 90% range for areas near and south of the I-95 corridor. See the attached graphics for more information.

Finally, bitterly cold temperatures will precede the storm. Friday night into Saturday and may continue to dominate the weather pattern well into next and beyond further adding to storm impacts.