With blizzard warnings issued throughout the tri-state and indeed for much of the I-95 corridor from Philadelphia to Boston, New Jersey will be under a state of emergency starting Sunday.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill, just a month into into her tenure leading the state and already dealing with her second major snowstorm, issued a state of emergency for all 21 counties effective at 12 p.m. Sunday.
“I urge New Jerseyans to use caution, stay off the roads, and follow all safety protocols during the storm,” the governor said in a post on X.
The declaration comes as the potential severity of the nor’easter continues to increase. What was, as of Thursday, looking like a storm that would bring 1-3 inches for much of the tri-state has escalated to more than a foot of snow for some and the first blizzard warnings in nearly a decade.
The timing of the winter storm is also expected to wreak havoc on the roads and impact mass transit service, making a mess of the start of the work week. Gov. Sherrill and other state officials urged those who have the ability to work from home to do so Monday, and urged all residents to stay off the road if possible.
NJ Transit said that as of Saturday afternoon, it was planning to run buses, trains and light rail service as long as road and weather conditions permitted. There would be a full, regular weekend schedule into Sunday, and would continue that way for as long as they were able to do so.
Those conditions could deteriorate quickly in the afternoon. Heavy snow and strong winds will combine for whiteout conditions Sunday into Monday.
The snow is set to begin Sunday morning, but with temperatures ahead of the storm staying in the 40s, it will melt at first. Minimal accumulation is expected through midday, but as temperatures drop and snow intensity increases, that’s when things will get bad.
The most intense accumulation will happen overnight, with snowfall rates of 1-2” per hour or more, along with wind gusts up to 50 mph. Snow will wind down and then end by Monday afternoon.
Flooding was also possible in parts of New York, New Jersey and many coastal communities along the East Coast. The Jersey Shore and south shore of Long Island were bracing for the worst, especially during high tide. Power outages were also most likely along the coast.
On Saturday, officials in Atlantic City, New Jersey, urged residents and casino visitors to stay off streets during the storm, especially in low-lying neighborhoods prone to flooding.
“I could go on and on probably with a good two dozen streets where we know we will get water and there will be snow on top of that, said Scott Evans, the city’s fire chief and emergency management coordinator. “So you won’t be able to see it until it’s too late, so therefore please stay at home.”
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