Bernardsville Police Department

03/16/2026

03/16/2026

What is the difference between a Tornado Watch, a Tornado Warning and a Tornado Emergency? The National Weather Service has three key alerts to watch out for.

Tornado Watch:
Be Prepared! Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans, take inventory of your supplies and check your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.

Tornado Warning:
Take Action! A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.

Tornado Emergency:
Seek Shelter Immediately! A tornado emergency is the National Weather Service’s highest alert level. It is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in the watch area. There is a severe threat to human life and property, with catastrophic damage confirmed. Immediately seek refuge in the safest location possible. Call friends and family who are within the watch area to ensure they are aware of the situation. If you see a tornado approaching, do not attempt to outrun it in a vehicle; shelter in place. Once safe, be sure to monitor your local forecast for the latest updates.

https://www.weather.gov/safety/tornado-ww

03/16/2026

Report an Outage

If you experience an outage due to the weather, please report it directly to JCP&L. Report an outage at 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877).

Assume all downed or low-hanging power lines are energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet away and report them ASAP to 9-1-1. Stay alert for downed power lines that may be hidden or tangled in trees or other debris.

If you’re not signed up for outage alerts and text messaging, now is a great time to do so:
Text REG to 544487 (LIGHTS) to enroll in text messaging. You can then text OUT to report an outage and STAT to get an update for your reported outage.

03/16/2026

Prepare for Severe Weather

You’re encouraged to prepare in advance of the storm. Here are some items to have on hand:

-Fully charged mobile devices and car charger.
-Flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries.
-Extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
-First-aid kit.
-Emergency supply of bottled water and convenience foods that do not require cooking.

If you lose power due to the weather, manage through safely by following these tips:

-Use a flashlight or battery-powered lantern for light. Use care when burning candles; open flames are a dangerous fire hazard.
-When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto power lines, creating a hazardous situation for workers.

03/12/2026

🚓 Driver Safety Tip: 5-Way Stop Intersections

The intersection of Claremont Road / Seney Drive / Mine Mount Road now have STOP signs in every direction. Here’s how to safely move through it under New Jersey traffic laws (Title 39):

🛑 1. First to Stop = First to Go
The first vehicle that stops goes first.

➡️ 2. Stop at the Same Time? Yield Right
If two vehicles stop together, yield to the driver on your right.

🚶 3. Pedestrians First
Always yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

⚠️ Remember:
• Come to a complete stop
• Take turns moving through the intersection
• Stay alert

Safe driving keeps everyone on the road safer. 🚗

03/11/2026

The latest Severe Weather Outlook maintains a MARGINAL to SLIGHT risk for severe thunderstorms across the region through this evening. We are watching a broken cluster of thunderstorms moving across central Pennsylvania at this hour that have had a history of severe wind potential.

While warm temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s along with dew points in the low 60s could help these thunderstorms maintain their strength as they move ENE across Pennsylvania, the limiting factors here are a) the loss of daytime heating as we approach sunset and b) overall available instability is in limited supply across the region. As we reach sunset and beyond, the severe threat will begin to diminish, though general showers and thunderstorms are still expected overnight.

03/10/2026

🛑 New Stop Signs Installed for Safety on Claremont Road 🛑

To help improve traffic safety in our neighborhood, new stop signs have been installed on Claremont Road at the intersection of Seney Drive and Mine Mount Road. This Intersection is now an all way stop.

These additions are intended to make the intersection safer for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Please be mindful of the new signs and come to a complete stop when approaching these intersections.

Thank you for helping keep our community safe! 🚗🛑

02/26/2026

Residents that want to know more about the specific hazardous chemicals that may be within their municipality and how the information is communicated to the public and managed by the facilities, are encouraged to attend two upcoming public meetings hosted by the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Somerset County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). These sessions will highlight the critical role the LEPC plays in shaping Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) and keep the public informed about chemical safety.

- Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 5 p.m.
- Thursday, August 19, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Both meetings are open to the public and will be held at the Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy, located at 402 Roycefield Road in Hillsborough.

“The partnership between the OEM and LEPC ensures that emergency planning is both thorough and transparent,” said Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson, liaison to the Office of Emergency Management. “These meetings give residents the chance to see how local agencies and community partners work together to prepare for chemical incidents. As a County, we are proud to have such a strong model of collaboration that prioritizes public safety and access to information regarding life-saving emergency procedures.”

Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act, local emergency planning committees must develop an ERP, review the plan at least annually, and provide information about chemicals in the community to citizens.

02/24/2026

A quick moving system will bring snow to the area early Wednesday morning, primarily for areas near/north of the I-78 corridor. While accumulations will be on the lower side (generally 1-3", less south of I-78), the timing may lead to slick conditions during the morning commute.

02/23/2026

📣 Customers who are without power due to the blizzard can pick up free water and ice at several local stores. Find locations here: http://spr.ly/6012RTAJa. You can obtain a voucher at the Customer Service desk. Stay safe!

02/23/2026

Help the Bernardsville Fire Co. No. 1 & First Aid Squad help you and adopt your local fire hydrant. Please dig out a 3’ area around the hydrant so they can operate during an emergency.

We are asking the community to clear any fire hydrants located on your property. They are our lifeline in a fire and being able to establish a water supply quickly gives us the best chance to protect your life and property.