Governor Phil Murphy Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Winter Storm
Governor Phil Murphy held a press conference this morning (Wednesday, December 16) to discuss New Jersey’s preparedness efforts for today’s winter storm.
Murphy declared a weather state of emergency beginning at 2 pm with all state offices closing at 1 pm.
“We urge all New Jerseyans to stay off the roads, stay at home, and stay safe,” Murphy shared to Facebook.
For those living in Central and Southern New Jersey, visit the U.S. National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly at http://www.weather.gov/phi/
For those living in Northern New Jersey and the New York Metro area, visit the U.S. National Weather Service New York, N.Y. at http://www.weather.gov/okx/
Important Tips to Remember When Preparing for Winter Weather:
- Secure loose items in your yard such as trash cans, children’s toys, and lawn decorations.
- Build an emergency kit that includes supplies for the whole family, including pets. Due to COVID-19 there are a few updates to preparing for this winter season such as including hand soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectant supplies and cloth face coverings in your emergency kits/go-bags.
- Have cash on hand. If the power is out, so are the ATMs and credit card machines.
- Know how to report a power outage to your utility company.
- Know where your utility shut off valves (gas, electric, water) are and how to use them.
- 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.
- 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. Due to COVID-19, in person visits may not be ideal under certain circumstances. Please adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear a mask. Use other means of communication such as phone, text or video chat to check on neighbors and help prepare them.
- 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.
❄️Weather Update
— NJOEM🇺🇸 (@ReadyNJ) December 16, 2020
Safety Tips
🚗Check https://t.co/Z29sBX8YGa for traffic updates
🔦Report a power outage to your utility company
⚡ALWAYS assume downed power lines are live. NEVER TOUCH THEM OR DRIVE OVER THEM!
📻Stay tuned to your local weather for updates.#ReadyNJ #Winter pic.twitter.com/5mKtB59Y3s
