New Jersey — Acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a statewide State of Emergency on Friday as a severe winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain to New Jersey, creating dangerous travel and outdoor conditions.
The State of Emergency will take effect at 1 p.m. Friday under Executive Order No. 409 and applies to all 21 counties. Forecasters are calling for snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches in parts of the state, with temperatures expected to remain below freezing through the weekend.
“Starting this afternoon, we will experience a severe winter storm bringing dangerous outdoor conditions to our state,” Way said in a statement. “This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel. We are urging travelers to avoid travel during the storm and allow crews to tend to the roads.”
The New Jersey Department of Transportation has activated crews and contractors ahead of the storm and said they will be positioned to respond as conditions worsen. Beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, the department will impose commercial vehicle travel restrictions on Interstate 78, Interstate 80, Interstate 280, Interstate 287 and Route 440.
The restrictions will apply to tractor-trailers, empty CDL-weighted trucks, recreational vehicles, motorcycles and passenger vehicles pulling trailers.
The executive order will remain in effect until state officials determine that emergency conditions no longer exist. Way urged residents to monitor weather forecasts and heed warnings, watches and advisories as the storm progresses.
New Jerseyans are encouraged to visit ready.nj.gov for storm preparedness information and safety updates.
