State Offices Closed as of 2:30 p.m. Today

TRENTON – The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) activated the State Emergency Operations Center at 7:00 a.m. this morning in order to monitor the winter storm conditions expected to last through Friday. NJOEM has been in contact with all 21 counties and members of the Emergency Response Bureau are working with their counties to address any storm related needs. State Emergency Management Partners have been notified and will continue to coordinate with NJOEM on any traffic and power concerns.

Current Forecast
Snow totals have increased for Northwest counties, prompting a Winter Storm Warning in Sussex, Morris, and Warren counties. Light snow accumulations are forecasted to extend further east into Salem, Gloucester, Camden, and Burlington counties. Maximum wind gust forecasts have increased for Cape May, coastal Atlantic, coastal Ocean, and coastal southern Monmouth counties. Maximum wind gusts may reach over 50 mph between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. tonight. As temperatures are expected to drop, icing remains a concern, particularly for areas north of Interstate 78.

Impacts to New Jersey
Due to the current weather and road conditions all state offices will be closed today, Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. All non-essential employees should be dismissed at 2:30 p.m.

Stay Informed
Follow weather news for local forecasts, warnings, and watches.

For those living in Central and Southern New Jersey visit US National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly http://www.weather.gov/phi/. For those living in Northern New Jersey and the New York Metro area visit US National Weather Service New York, N.Y. http://www.weather.gov/okx/.

Visit ready.nj.gov for information on how to build a kit, make a plan, and prepare your family for emergencies. Pets are family too! Remember to include them in your emergency plans. Visit animalemergency.nj.gov to find out more.

Follow NJOEM on social media for important weather updates and safety information:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReadyNewJersey

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ReadyNJ

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ReadyNJ 

Important Tips to Remember

• Secure loose items in your yard such as trash cans, children’s toys, and lawn ornaments.
• Have cash on hand. If the power is out, so are the ATMs and credit card machines.
• Be sure to keep an adequate amount of gas in your car.
• Be sure to check on friends and neighbors who have access or functional needs.
• Be sure to have extra medications on hand and keep them in a water-resistant container.
• Get all of your vital records and insurance papers together now. Keep them in a water-resistant container. If you can, scan and email them to yourself so you have a copy of important numbers and policies, etc.
• Charge your cell phones and try not to use them if the power goes out. Texting uses less power than a phone call, so send text messaging to save power, if possible.
• Discuss business continuity plans now. Whether you are the boss or report to a boss, discuss your game plan for continued business operations.
• NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off.
• Know where your utility shut off valves (gas, electric, water) are and how to use them.
• Know how to report a power outage to your utility company.

 Drive Safely

New Jersey State Police will be out on patrol and ready to assist. If you’re on the road, leave early to reach your destination and drive slowly. Remember to remove snow and ice from your vehicle before hitting the road. Please give road crews adequate space to treat and clear roadways. Leave a safe following distance behind other vehicles. For more information regarding driving times and current incidents visit: http://www.511nj.org/

During a Power Outage: Safety Tips

• Only use flashlights for emergency lighting, candles can cause fires.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours.
• Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm. Call NJ 2-1-1 for additional resources.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances and other equipment in case of a momentary power “surge” that can damage computers and other devices. Consider adding surge protectors.
• Only use generators away from your home and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home’s electrical system.