Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in New Jersey effective at 2 p.m. Wednesday as the first major winter storm of the season is expected to slam the state with up to 18 inches of snow.
The northern half of the state is likely to get more than a foot of snow starting Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday morning. There is also the potential for strong winds gusting up to 60 mph that could cause power outages and coastal flooding.
“This is a major, major snowstorm,” Murphy said during a press conference on the storm in Woodbridge. “This will be a statewide weather event. Every county is currently under a watch or a warning of some sort.”
All nonessential state offices will also close at 1 p.m.
“Because so many people are still working from home and so many kids in remote learning, we do not anticipate same after-school and rush hour issues,” Murphy said. “We hope this will allow DOT’s crews to tend to the roads. But if you are on the road after the storm conditions have begun, we urge you to please take it slow and use common sense and caution.”
The state Department of Transportation has 100% capacity for salt. Workers brined roads Tuesday anywhere where there was not salt from Monday’s storm
”Crews and contractors are ready for the winter season and this storm,” said state Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “We know today we are activating all assets for this storm. Please obey the posted speed limits.”
A governor’s state of emergency declaration typically comes with stern warnings for people to stay off the roads, although law enforcement officers don’t have the authority to ticket drivers.
“If you don’t have a good reason to go out, just don’t go out,” Murphy said. “Don’t tempt fate here.”
But the order does empower first responders to close roads, evacuate homes, and commandeer equipment or other resources to protect public safety.
Plus, after a high-impact storm, state officials seek financial assistance from the federal government to make repairs, and the emergency declaration is a required step in that process.
Precipitation is expected to begin in South Jersey late this morning and then move northeast into Central and North Jersey in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
North Jersey is expected to get least 12 inches of snow, with totals decreasing in Central Jersey and southward. How much snow falls and where will depend on where the rain/snow line forms.
The are winter storm warnings in effect for all or part of 13 of New Jersey’s 21 counties beginning as early as noon and running as late as 2 p.m. Thursday.
The state Department of Transportation also imposed a commercial vehicle travel restriction starting at 1 p.m., for the length of the following highways in both directions:
- I-78, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
- I-80, from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
- I-195, from I-295 to NJ Route 138
- I-280, from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
- I-287, from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
- I-295, from I-195 to the Scudders Falls Bridge (Pennsylvania border)
- Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287
Monitor the social media accounts for the Office of Emergency Management and the N.J. State Police for updates:
You may also sign up for text and email alerts:
- NIXLE - www.nixle.com.
- NJ Alert - www.njalert.gov.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.
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N.J. declares a state of emergency ahead of major winter storm - NJ.com
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