NJ declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm

Government Bill Murphy A state of emergency was declared in New Jersey at 2 a.m. Wednesday The first major winter storm The state is expected to drop up to 18 inches of snow this season.

More than a foot of snow is expected in the northern part of Garden State Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. Strong winds of up to 60 mph are possible, which can cause power outages and coastal flooding.

Murphy considered it to be “a big, big blizzard” for the northern parts of the state, but it would affect the entire state in some way.

“It’s going to be a statewide weather event,” he told a news conference at the New Jersey Turnbike Authority’s Center for Traffic Management and Technology in Woodridge. “Every district is currently under surveillance or some sort of warning.”

All essential government offices will be closed at 1 p.m.

• Being close to a major blizzard, the ’emergency’ is actually NJ.

A governor’s emergency notice usually comes with stern warnings to keep people off the roads, although law enforcement officials do not authorize ticket drivers.

But the order empowers first responders to close roads, evacuate homes, and command equipment or other resources to protect public safety.

In addition, after a high-risk storm, state officials seek financial assistance from the federal government to make repairs, and an emergency notice is a necessary step in that process.

Authorities said there would be “whiteout conditions” on the roads Wednesday night, especially in the northern parts of the state.

“If you don’t have a good reason to go out, don’t go out,” Murphy said. “Don’t provoke fate here.”

Murphy said because many still work from home and many children learn online Corona virus Epidemic, officials do not expect after-school and emergency problems. This, he said, would allow transport workers to easily access the roads.

“But if you are on the road after the onset of storm conditions, we urge you to take it slowly and use it with common sense and caution,” Murphy said.

Roads will have nearly 4,000 spreads and plows across the state, said state Transportation Commissioner Diane Guterres-Scotzetti.

The department is 100% salt capable, he said. Workers cleared roads Tuesday of salt-free areas from Monday’s storm.

“Our team and contractors are ready for winter and this storm,” Guterres-Scassetti said. “We know we are operating on all the assets for this storm today.”

Officials said applications were being prepared for fallen trees and power outages – especially in the northern part of the state. They said the applications are making groups within New Jersey and outside the state.

It is expected to start raining in South Jersey this morning and move to Northeast Central and North Jersey in the afternoon National Weather Service.

North Jersey is expected to be available At least 12 inches of snow, Central Jersey and decreases overall towards the south. Depends on how much snow falls and where the rain / snow line forms.

Murphy said more rain and mud could be seen in South Jersey on Thursday morning despite concerns of coastal flooding with high tides.

He said the middle part of the state, which is prone to 6-12 inches of snow and “ugly conditions,” will see a mixture of mud and snow.

North Jersey said it could see 12-18 inches with high wind and power barriers.

They are Winter storm warnings Runs from noon to 2 p.m., Thursday afternoon, for 13 or an area of ​​New Jersey’s 21 counties.

The The state Department of Transportation also imposed a travel ban on commercial vehicles The length of the following highways in both directions starts at 1 p.m .:

• I-78, I-95 (New Jersey Turnbike) off the Pennsylvania border
• I-80, I-95 (New Jersey Turnbike) off the Pennsylvania border
• I-195, I-295 to NJ Route 138
• I-280, I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnbike)
• I-287, NJ Route 440 to New York State Boundary
• From I-295, I-195 to Scuders Falls Bridge (Pennsylvania border)
• Route 440, from Outbridge Crossing to I-287

Monitor social media accounts for the Emergency Management Office and NJ State Police for updates:

You can also sign up for text and email alerts:

• Nix – www.nixle.com.
• NJ Warning – www.njalert.gov.

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Matt Arco Can be reached at [email protected].

Brent Johnson Can be reached at [email protected].