Some schools, state offices close as snow falls across New Jersey

ByAnthony Johnson and Eyewitness News WABC logo

Friday, January 19, 2024

State offices, some schools close in NJ as snow hits Garden State

Anthony Johnson with the latest.

NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- State offices and more than two dozen schools are closed Friday as New Jersey is hit by a second winter storm in one week.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for parts of New Jersey.

As a result, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that state offices will be closed on Friday, and a State of Emergency that went into effect for recent winter storms will continue through the weekend.

The steadiest snow fell between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Parts of Central and South Jersey are expected to see the most snow in the Tri-State with 3-6 inches from this winter storm.

Chief Meteorologist Lee Goldberg says Monmouth and Ocean counties have the greatest potential to see 6 inches of snow.

Lindsay Tuchman traveled with the Road Cam down to Toms River, Ocean County, to get a sense of road conditions there as the storm developed.

Lindsay Tuchman reports live from the Road Cam on conditions in Toms River.

The state has implemented a commercial vehicle travel ban that will go into effect at 3 a.m. on Friday for several major highways, including the following: I-76, I-78, I-80, I-195, I-280, I-287, I-295, I-676 and NJ Route 440 (both directions from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287). The restrictions will not apply to the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway or the Atlantic City Expressway. Officials are urging all motorists to avoid unnecessary travel.

Since this frigid week began, PSE&G in New Jersey says it has received over 3,000 calls for service, a number that could easily double by the end of the week.

The number of calls about failing services always goes up when the temperatures outside go down.

"The heat's working harder. The colder it is, the longer it's running, and the more likely it is to go out during the course of the day," said Richard Lukasik, a PSE&G supervisor.

Technicians are trying to keep customers happy and reduce their discomfort.

For example, one crew has been busy dealing with victims of the flooding in Paterson and Little Falls before turning their focus on helping those who lost heat in this extremely cold weather.

"Generally, it's parts that need to be replaced, thermostats, zone valves, gas valves," said Richard Lukasik, a PSE&G supervisor.

Anthony Johnson has the story.

Here are some tips from PSE&G to follow to avoid any winter-related hazards:

- If you smell gas, exit the house and call your service provider

- Stay away from electrical lines and assume they are hot. Do not walk or drive through water where an electrical line is down.

- When it snows, keep any high-efficiency furnace pipes on the outside of your home clear of snow.

- Accumulation of ice or snow can interfere with the proper operation of your gas metering system.

- Use a broom to keep the gas meter, pressure regulator and vent piping clear of snow and ice during the winter season.

- Chimneys and vents should be protected using an approved cap or screen to keep small animals or insects from entering. These pests have been known to build chimneys or vents and can cause potentially hazardous conditions.