Drone Footage Reveals Unplowed Streets in Teaneck After Massive North Jersey Blizzard
Teaneck is concerned after significant parts of local roadways went unplowed for hours during a major snowfall that blanketed North Jersey beneath over two feet of snow. This week, Teaneck Mayor Mark Schwartz said municipal officials “failed our residents” when entire neighborhoods were inaccessible after the snow stopped falling.
Storms in Bergen County on Monday caused severe disruptions. Teaneck homeowners reported unsafe and impassable streets, escalating frustration. After another January snowstorm that left roadways icy, Mayor Schwartz got hundreds of irate calls. He used his drone during the latest blizzard to avoid a repetition.
Schwartz launched the drone to evaluate town conditions an hour after snowfall. What he saw was alarming. Bergen County crews plowed Route 4, a key highway through Teaneck, to the pavement, while many residential streets and neighborhoods were covered in deep snow for 10–12 hours following the storm.
Delays caused severe concerns in a township with 105 kilometers of roads and 15 municipal plows. “Fourteen hours after the snow stops should not be the first time roads are being cleared,” Schwartz said, underlining that high-tax residents expect prompt service, especially during severe weather.
Township authorities said local teams cleared county roads first, which are key routes. Heavy snowfall and mechanical issues hindered plows, preventing them from reaching many residential streets. Schwartz said entire communities were missed before the problem was identified.
The mayor defended the Teaneck Department of Public Works, saying personnel worked 12-hour hours and slept on cots for three nights to coordinate storm response. He praised workers for clearing Route 4 and other critical entrances into town.
The longstanding Teaneck-Bergen County agreement is a major concern. The township plows county roads and gets paid. A Bergen County official said Teaneck is paid $115 per hour per truck for plowing county roads and that the arrangement stands.
Mayor Schwartz denied that reimbursement is the key issue. Residents care more about clean streets than money, he said. It’s not money we desire. It’s labor or equipment,” he remarked, emphasizing operational support above a reimbursement check weeks later.
Teaneck Road, River Road along the Hackensack River, Fort Lee Road, and Queen Anne Road are key county roadways. These highways and residential streets have been cleared, but the delay has raised questions about municipal-county coordination during major weather events.
Teaneck was hardly alone in blizzard damage. Hackensack authorities admitted the city was unprepared and overwhelmed. Only one of nine trucks needed to clean important roads was reliable, while others were 35 years old. Aging equipment, small streets, a statewide salt shortage, and automobiles blocking important highways were big challenges, officials said.
Hackensack leaders aim to expedite new equipment delivery, hire qualified drivers, and start a part-time emergency snow-shoveling program to clear hydrants and public sidewalks before the next significant storm.
Bergen County shows how communities are struggling with harsh winter storms. Public safety issues can arise from heavy snowfall, outdated infrastructure, equipment limitations, and coordination gaps. Residents prioritize safe, passable roadways.
Mayor Schwartz called the drone footage a wake-up call and accountability tool. Township authorities identified service gaps and responded faster by visually documenting local problems. The mayor acknowledged failure as part of a larger effort to repair confidence and prepare for the next winter disaster.
After the blizzard, North Jersey officials are assessing storm response plans to ensure citizens get the service they expect. Teaneck residents learned during this storm that severe weather requires preparation, coordination, and proper equipment.
Sources:
Teaneck Township Officials
Bergen County Officials
Hackensack City Officials
