Weather impact

Supermarkets were crowded with shoppers this weekend, as residents made sure they'd have staples like milk, bread, and batteries ahead of today's storm. It is one year to the day since last year's first of several snowstorms pummeled the area. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts 6 to 8 inches of snow in parts of Sussex County by 7 a.m. Monday. This is the third snow within just a few days, and it's anticipated to make for a difficult Monday morning commute. At 3 p.m. on Sunday, Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency for all of New Jersey to expedite access to state resources.
The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) is in touch with every OEM in the state, ready to help. State emergency management partners will coordinate with NJOEM regarding power and traffic concerns. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) made up to 2,500 plows and spreaders available to clear State highways.
“As the winter storm continues throughout the State, our top priority is the safety of our residents” Governor Murphy said. “We have deployed available resources to keep the roads clean and urge people to use extreme caution when traveling.”
State Police are at the ready, too, and already assisting.
"We always encourage you to prepare for winter weather," said Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police. "Please use caution when traveling and prepare an emergency kit for use at home and for your vehicle.”
Noting that snow is expected to fall Sunday into the morning hours of Monday at a rate of almost 1 inch per hour, Sparta Police advise caution when driving, or staying off the roads, if possible. Area schools are making plans on how to best keep parents, students, teachers and staff safe. Stanhope school district has already advised that Stanhope schools will have a 2-hour delay on Monday, March 4.
JCP&L advises the public to notify them immediately if experiencing an outage. Report an outage by calling 888-544-4877 or by texting REG to 544487. For more information about reporting outages visit https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/customer/help/outages.html
New Jersey State Police have issued the following advisory:
West Trenton, N.J. – Colonel Patrick J. Callahan has announced a commercial vehicle travel restriction due to the anticipated severity of the impending winter storm.
Effective Sunday, March 3 at 3 p.m., there will be a commercial vehicle travel restriction for the following roadways:
• I-195 (entire length)
• I-78 (entire length)
• I-80 (entire length)
• I-280 (entire length)
• I-287 (entire length)
• I-295 (entire length)
• I-676 (entire length)
• I-76 (entire length)
The commercial vehicle travel restriction does NOT apply to the following roadways:
• New Jersey Turnpike
• Garden State Parkway
• Atlantic City Expressway
The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:
• All tractor-trailers
• Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
• Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
• Recreational vehicles
• Motorcycles
Trucks already in New Jersey are encouraged to use truck stops or rest areas during the restriction. In order for road crews to effectively plow, drivers should not park on shoulders.
Residents and motorists should avoid driving unless you are an essential employee needed for emergency response. If you do not have to be on the roads during the storm, please stay home. If you must go out, drive slowly, fill your gas tank, charge your phone, pack blankets, water and non-perishable food items.
Visit ready.nj.gov to learn how to prepare for winter weather.
Hashtags to follow:
#ReadyNJ
#NJSP
#WinterSafety