New Jersey’s state of emergency for Tropical Storm Isaias took effect at 5 a.m. as residents brace for heavy rains and high winds, which could bring widespread flooding and power outages throughout the day.
Gov. Phil Murphy is urging people to stay off the roads for nonessential travel. The state is under a tropical storm watch and a tornado watch initially issued for three South Jersey counties was expanded Tuesday morning for to the entire state. The storm was expected to barrel through New Jersey beginning at daybreak and continue pummeling portions of the Garden State through evening hours with up to 6 inches of rain and wind gusts topping 70 mph.
All of New Jersey’s state parks, historic sites and wildlife management and natural areas are also closed to visitors until further notice, according to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. The National Park service also closed the Sandy Hook section of Gateway National Recreation.
The state of emergency runs concurrent to one the governor first issued on March 9 at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic. The state is also under a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
A state of emergency gives state authorities certain executive powers and safeguards to respond to a crisis. It also allows the state to receive federal aid.
As dire as it sounds, a state of emergency means more for the police, fire and other public safety officials responding to the event than it does for the average person.
Q: Why does the governor declare a state of emergency?
A: The declaration is made in response to hazardous weather conditions so that emergency workers can respond as quickly as possible to prevent or alleviate “damages, loss, hardship or suffering,” according to the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. Working with county and local officials, the state can close roads, evacuate homes and commandeer equipment or other resources as needed in the interest of protecting public safety.
Q: Do I have to stay home? Am I allowed to drive?
A: During a state of emergency, all nonessential personnel are ordered to stay off the roads so that law enforcement and emergency responders can do their jobs. An emergency declaration doesn’t mean motorists will be ticketed for merely being on the roads, and “essential” personnel is not defined by law.
If conditions worsen and driving needs to be restricted for public safety reasons, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management will alert the public “using all available means, including, but not limited to: the Emergency Alert System, urgent press releases, Department of Transportation highway signs, and law enforcement teletypes.”
Q: If I can’t get to work because of the storm or my boss says I don’t have to come in, does the emergency declaration enable me to argue I should get paid?
A: No, unless you have a contract that says so. The state does not get involved with private workplace decisions.
Q: Are state offices closed during an emergency?
A: Murphy has declared that all state offices will be closed on Tuesday due to tropical storm conditions. Nonessential state workers should not report to work for their normal shift. Essential employees should report on schedule.
Q: Where can I find the most up-to-date information about the storm and road conditions?
A: Monitor the social media accounts for the Office of Emergency Management and the N.J. State Police: There are Facebook pages for the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the New Jersey State Police. The NJOEM and the state police also post updates on Twitter. The National Weather Service in Mount Holly also updates weather information on Twitter.
The official website for the state of New Jersey also contains updates on the state of emergency as information about the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, 511.org can be monitored for traffic updates and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities posts information on power outages.
You may also sign up for text and email alerts on the NIXLE website.
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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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What does N.J.’s state of emergency mean during Tropical Storm Isaias? - NJ.com
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