Cape May Counties Brace for Snow, Freezing Rain, and Dangerous Cold

Issue #585

January 24, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

❄️ Cape May Counties Brace for Snow, Freezing Rain, and Dangerous Cold

❄️ Essential Services Only: Cape May County Scales Back Operations Ahead of Storm

🏨From Seaside Luxury to Military Hospital: The Rise and Fall of Hotel Cape May

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 January 24

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Cape May Counties Brace for Snow, Freezing Rain, and Dangerous Cold

Southern New Jersey is bracing for its first significant winter weather event of the season, with heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and dangerously cold temperatures forecast to sweep through the region starting Saturday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch from 7 p.m. Saturday, January 24, through 1 p.m. Monday, January 26. Forecasters anticipate snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches or more across much of Atlantic and Cape May counties. Snowfall could be accompanied by sleet and freezing rain, potentially worsening travel conditions and increasing the risk of power outages and other infrastructure disruptions. Snow is expected to begin late Saturday and continue into Monday, affecting both weekend plans and the Monday morning commute. Officials warn that travel could become hazardous, urging residents to stay off the roads if possible and to exercise extreme caution if travel is necessary. Adding to the concerns, a period of dangerously low temperatures is forecast to begin Friday night and linger through at least Wednesday. Wind chills are expected to drop into the single digits or below zero at times, increasing the risk of hypothermia and frostbite for anyone exposed to the elements for extended periods. In advance of the storm, Atlantic County public works crews will pre-treat 375 miles of county roads and deploy snowplows as needed. Priority will be given to the most heavily traveled routes. Residents across the region are advised to prepare now by charging electronic devices, fueling vehicles, checking in on vulnerable neighbors, and ensuring they have adequate supplies, including medications, food, water, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio. Pipes should be protected by leaving faucets dripping, and any use of portable generators must follow safety guidelines. Due to the extreme cold, Cape May County has issued a Code Blue advisory from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly through January 25. The alert is aimed at providing shelter for individuals without adequate housing. Municipalities are offering warming centers, and those in need are encouraged to contact local officials or dial 2-1-1 for assistance. Residents can stay informed by visiting the official county websites for Cape May and Atlantic counties, where updates will be posted regularly. In life-threatening emergencies, individuals should call 9-1-1.

Essential Services Only: Cape May County Scales Back Operations Ahead of Storm

 Cape May County is taking precautionary steps ahead of a significant snowstorm expected to impact the region this weekend. In preparation, the county has announced a series of closures, limited service schedules, and the activation of an emergency warming center to ensure resident safety. All county parks and the Cape May County Zoo will be closed on Sunday and Monday. Similarly, all senior centers in Lower Township, North Wildwood, and Upper Township will be closed on Monday. Fare Free Transportation will suspend most of its services on Monday, operating only to accommodate essential needs such as dialysis appointments, Meals on Wheels deliveries, and transport to the county’s Code Blue warming center. Library services will also be affected. The Cape May Court House Main Branch will close on Sunday and reopen Monday, while all other library branches will remain closed on Sunday. A key part of the county's storm response is the operation of the Warming Center located at Seashore Community Church, 446 Seashore Road, Cape May. The center will be open nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. throughout the storm, providing shelter, warm beverages, and light meals for individuals in need. Fare Free Transportation will provide scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs to and from the Warming Center throughout the weekend and into Monday. Morning return trips will also be available from the Warming Center to designated locations in Rio Grande. County officials are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as needed via the official Cape May County website and social media platforms. In case of emergency, residents should contact their local police department or dial 9-1-1.

 

From Seaside Luxury to Military Hospital: The Rise and Fall of Hotel Cape May

 Cape May’s reputation as "America’s oldest seashore resort" makes it a perfect backdrop for exploring the past and present—and few buildings embody its storied history more than the legendary Hotel Cape May, later known as the Christian Admiral. Constructed between 1905 and 1908 in the grand Beaux-Arts style, the hotel opened on April 11, 1908, with dreams of rivaling the elite resorts of Newport, Rhode Island. At the time, it was celebrated as the largest hotel in the world, symbolizing Cape May’s ambitious push to attract the nation’s wealthiest vacationers. Yet, despite its architectural splendor and beachfront location, the hotel’s history is one of repeated financial failure. Completed behind schedule and over budget, the property filed for bankruptcy within five years and was sold at a sheriff’s sale. The War Department leased the abandoned structure during World War I, converting it into General Hospital No. 11 in 1918. Originally designated General Hospital No. 16, its status was changed on March 14, 1918. Located just 100 feet from the Atlantic Ocean, the hotel served as a military medical facility, while enlisted personnel lived in tents behind the building. This wartime transformation reflected a broader national movement during WWI, when patriotic fervor inspired private citizens and organizations to offer up properties for use as hospitals. These sites ranged from department stores to private homes and were seen as a quicker, more affordable alternative to constructing new medical facilities. After the war, the hotel returned to its familiar cycle of abandonment and attempted rebirth. In 1932, it was renamed the Admiral Hotel by a new ownership group, only to face another bankruptcy in 1940. The military once again occupied the building from 1941 to 1945 during WWII. In the postwar years, the hotel changed hands multiple times, each effort to restore or repurpose it ending in financial collapse. In 1963, the building was rescued from demolition by Reverend Carl McIntire, who operated it under the name Christian Admiral. However, his organization too eventually declared bankruptcy, marking the sixth and final financial downfall associated with the property. Despite its repeated closures and reputation as a financial albatross, the Christian Admiral remained one of Cape May’s most beloved landmarks. Towering along the shoreline, it held a nostalgic charm for generations of locals and visitors alike. But by the 1990s, the building had deteriorated beyond repair. Structural assessments estimated it would cost $20 million just to stabilize the property—and up to $80 million to fully restore it.

Deemed unsalvageable, the once-grand hotel was demolished in 1996. Today, it lives on in old postcards, photographs, and the collective memory of a community that watched it rise, fall, and rise again—until its final curtain call.

 Answer to the January 23rd Trivia Question

Which historic hotel in Cape May served as the "Summer White House" for President Benjamin Harrison?

A) The Chalfonte Hotel
B) Congress Hall
C) The Virginia Hotel
D) The Grand Hotel

Answer: B) Congress Hall

Congress Hall is a historic hotel in Cape May, originally built in 1816. It was used as the "Summer White House" by President Benjamin Harrison and has hosted several other U.S. presidents.

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