NEW JERSEY (WABC) — A travel ban has been lifted for New Jersey as a major blizzard continues to bear down on the Garden State, the first blizzard warning to cover all 21 counties in three decades.
The mandatory travel restriction, which began at 9 p.m. on Sunday, was lifted at noon on Monday, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management announced.
Winter Storm Live Updates: Please visit our winter storm blog for the very latest information.
While the travel ban has ended, motorists are strongly encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel as hazardous conditions persist in some parts of the state. Some roadways remain snow-covered, visibility is limited in some areas and crews continue working to clear roads and restore safe travel, according to state officials.
Nina Pineda reports on blizzard conditions in New Jersey.
Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a statewide state of emergency for the blizzard. By Monday morning, more than a foot of snow had fell as winds continued to whip.
On Sunday night, the governor asked residents to abide by the travel ban.
“This is likely to be the worst storm we have seen since 1996,” Sherrill said. “It is a serious storm. Please take it seriously. Stay inside. Don’t travel tonight.”
Michelle Charlesworth reports on the blizzard from Belmar.
The governor emphasized that this system is dramatically different from the January storm that brought heavy snow last month.
“At its peak, the January storm had about one inch per hour,” Sherrill said. “This will be considerably worse.”
Emergency officials say the combination of wet, heavy snow and powerful winds is expected to cause downed trees, whiteout conditions, drifting, and widespread power outages. Utility crews, contractors, and mutual aid partners, including teams from as far away as Ohio, have been deployed across the state.
JCP&L’s Chris Hoenig talks about NJ weather-related power outages.
Travel Restrictions and Transit Shutdowns
A commercial vehicle ban took effect at 3 p.m. on Sunday on all highways except the New Jersey Turnpike. Speed limits on major roadways were also reduced to 35 mph.
New Jersey Transit suspended buses and light rail service at 6 p.m., and rail service was suspended at 9 p.m.
NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri gives update on service.
“This storm is too serious to have people and workers out on public transit in the worst of it,” Sherrill said.
Crews from NJDOT, the Turnpike Authority, and local partners are deploying thousands of workers, 4,500 pieces of equipment, and more than 450,000 tons of salt to keep roads clear once the storm moves through.
Still, officials repeated the same message throughout the briefing: stay home.
Acting State Police Superintendent David Sirota said the State Emergency Operations Center is at Level 2 activation and will remain staffed around the clock. Search and rescue teams with high-wheeled vehicles and snowmobiles are on standby.
“Roads can wait. Your life can’t,” Sirota said.
Coastal flooding warnings remain in effect for numerous counties, adding risk to communities near bays, rivers and tidal waterways. Officials reminded residents: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Residents who need warming centers can go to NJ211.org.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Director Frank Gaffney said utilities are preparing for potentially significant outages statewide.
“Although they are well staffed, they cannot be everywhere,” Gaffney warned. “If you lose power, report it immediately. Don’t wait for your neighbor to do so.”
State offices will be closed Monday. Sherrill urged residents to charge devices, check on elderly neighbors and avoid all travel through Monday.
“Your safety is my top priority,” she said. “We will get through this, but please heed the warnings and stay off the roads.”
The governor says to work from home on Monday if you can.
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