New Jersey slammed with heavy snow; state of emergency in effect
TRENTON, New Jersey (WPVI) -- New Jersey is in a state of emergency in response to Wednesday's winter storm. Snow began falling around 1p.m. in South Jersey and quickly began coating major roads and neighborhoods.
"We urge you to please take it slow and use common sense and caution," said Governor Phil Murphy. "We ask specifically that you stay clear of any plowing or spreading operations. Do not try to pass them.
The state has deployed nearly 4,000 plows and spreaders to treat roads during the storm, but the thick snow still accumulated on major roads like Route 30 in Lawnside. For one gas station employee along the route, one big challenge was keeping the space clear.
"We're out here shoveling all this. All of this was just covered in snow. People were coming in, their cars were covered in snow, it was just a lot to handle," said Samir Wheatley, who works at a Wawa.
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It's the first significant snowfall in about two years in South Jersey and people are torn on the winter weather.
"It kind of brings back the normal times, the normalcy of things in a sense. It kind of takes our minds away from the crazy pandemic that's going on," said Charles Giddins of Pennsauken.
"I do not like the snow. I was so glad it didn't snow last year and now it's sticking to the ground," said Nyla Boswell of Camden.
"It's nice to be in the holidays it's nice to be safe, it's nice to get out a little bit," said Tony Scurry of Somerdale.
Down the shore, there is a coastal flood warning. State officials are also concerned about the potential for high winds that may lead to down trees or wires. Crews are on standby here in Camden County and are asking people to report any outages.
While there are commercial vehicle restrictions in effect, Governor Murphy says they do not impact trucks carrying the COVID-19 vaccine into the state.
NJ Transit says rail service will be temporarily suspended systemwide at 7:30 p.m. All central and northern bus service will be temporarily suspended, including Trenton area and Port Authority, starting 6 p.m. There will be no PABT terminal departures after 6 p.m.
South Jersey busing will operate on a weekday schedule as long as conditions allow. HBLR & NLR service will be suspended starting 8 p.m. River LINE will continue to operate on weekday service.
