Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency on Sunday ahead of what is expected to be a major winter storm with up to 2 feet of snow covering the northern half of the state from a nor’easter blizzard that could also cause moderate coastal flooding.
The state of emergency goes into effect at 7 p.m. tonight. There are also restrictions on commercial vehicles on several major highways, and all state offices are closed on Mondays, except for essential workers.
- Keep track of when it will snow how much will pile up in your NJ town with this new map
All NJ Transit buses, rail (except Atlantic City Rail Line), light rail and Access Link service will be temporarily suspended Monday.
“Heavy snow, coastal flooding and high winds are expected in many parts of the state,” Murphy said in a statement. “The safety of residents and employees is our highest priority. Follow all weather related guidelines and stay off the road to gain access for emergency responders. “
The governor and other government officials had encouraged residents to do any chores or trips to the grocery store on Saturday so they could squat Monday and Tuesday and stay off the road.
Areas near Morristown and Wantage are expected to be between 12 and 24 inches, the National Weather Service said in an update Sunday afternoon, with New Brunswick expected to reach 18 inches. Areas to the south and along the coast are expected to see significantly less snow.
Schools across the state have already started announcing closures and other schedule changes, with many switching to remote instruction.
A governor’s declaration of emergency usually comes with stern warnings for people to stay off the road, although law enforcement officers do not have the authority to give drivers a ticket.
But the order allows first responders to close roads, evacuate homes, and use equipment or other means to protect public safety.
In addition, after a severe storm, government officials seek financial assistance from the federal government to make repairs, and the emergency declaration is a required step in that process.
Keep an eye on the social media accounts of the State Emergency Management Office and the New Jersey State Police for updates:
You can also sign up for SMS and email alerts:
- NIXLE – www.nixle.com.
- NJ warning – www.njalert.gov.
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Matt Arco can be reached at [email protected].