Advertisement Pennsylvania governor signs 'state of emergency' ahead of winter storm Emergency declaration also bans commercial vehicles on many Pennsylvania roads for part of weekend Share Shares Copy Link Copy As a winter storm takes aim at Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf has signed a state of emergency declaration to allow for increased assistance with "storm-related needs." The disaster declaration also includes speed limit restrictions and bans on commercial traffic for many Pennsylvania roads.The governor and other state officials held a press conference Friday afternoon about the upcoming storm. You can watch it above. "Postpone your travel, if at all possible," Wolf said. "Reduce your speeds. Beware of the potential for rapidly changing weather and roadway conditions. "Commercial vehicles will be prohibited on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and all interstates, except for Interstate 95, from noon Saturday to noon Sunday. "I think not just the storm in November but other storms that have hit we're very vulnerable with commercial vehicles getting stuck or jackknifing," Wolf said. "We don't know exactly what's going to happen, but this storm has the potential to really pack a wallop. "In November, some motorists were stranded for hours on Interstate 83 after a storm, with jackknifed tractor-trailers causing some of the trouble.During this weekend's storm, state police will enforce the commercial vehicle bans, state officials said. Troopers said violating the bans could result in a fine of up to $300.While other vehicles will be allowed on the roads, speed limits will be restricted on the interstates and expressways when conditions warrant.Here's the full statement from the governor's office:With an intense winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, high winds, sleet and freezing rain across the state through this weekend, Governor Tom Wolf today signed a state of emergency declaration to allow for increased assistance with storm-related needs. The commonwealth also will impose speed restrictions and a ban on all commercial traffic, including buses on most interstates and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.State officials urge motorists to use caution during the storm, postpone travel if possible, reduce speeds and be aware of the potential for rapidly changing weather and roadway conditions.The commercial vehicle ban will be in place between noon Saturday and noon Sunday on all interstates and the Turnpike, except for Interstate 95 in southeastern Pennsylvania. The ban will also be imposed on the U.S. 22 expressway in the Lehigh Valley and the Pennsylvania Route 33 expressway in Northampton and Monroe counties. See a map of restricted roadways.“We want to be aggressive in managing this storm, during which snowfall rates could exceed one to two inches per hour,” Governor Wolf said. “Our top concern is the safety of residents. If you do not have to travel during the storm, please avoid it. Please heed warnings from emergency responders and personnel, and remember to check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.”The declaration of an emergency allows for additional help from neighboring states and standing up the Pennsylvania National Guard to ensure a swift response to possible changing priorities, and the vehicle bans will allow our snow plow crews to have a clearer route to keeping these interstates open despite the expected severe weather.The governor’s emergency declaration authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel, as necessary, to cope with the magnitude and severity of the storm’s impacts. The time-consuming bid and contract procedures, as well as other formalities normally prescribed by law, are waived for the duration of the proclamation.It is important to note that the declaration does not restrict citizens from travel on commonwealth roadways, but motorists should be aware of any restrictions that are in place and heed the guidance of local authorities.Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on the interstates and expressways as the storm progresses. The Pennsylvania Department Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Pennsylvania State Police have been coordinating their planning in advance of the storm and will be staffing the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center (CRCC) throughout the duration of the storm. “Travel will be very challenging this weekend with the combination of heavy snow, high winds, sleet, freezing and plain rain and then a rapid drop in temperatures on Sunday,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “If you must travel, please check 511PA for the latest conditions and be prepared in case extreme conditions trigger long delays on your route.”Anticipating the storm’s severity, Amtrak has already cancelled the cross-state Pennsylvanian passenger train for Sunday and has cancelled six trains Sunday on the Keystone Line between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.To help make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 860 traffic cameras. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool.511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.A vehicle emergency kit should be prepared or restocked with items such as non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, cell phone charger and a small snow shovel. Motorists should tailor their kits to any specific needs that they or their families have such as baby supplies, extra medication and pet supplies.The CRCC at PEMA headquarters outside Harrisburg will be activated at 8 a.m. on Saturday and staffed with personnel from multiple state agencies, including the departments of Transportation, Conservation and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, General Services, Health, Public Utility Commission, Military and Veterans Affairs, Health, PA State Police, Human Services, Revenue, and PA Turnpike, as well as the American Red Cross and Civil Air Patrol. Other state agencies are on notice to report if needed.PEMA works with county emergency management personnel to monitor unmet local needs during inclement weather affecting travel, utilities, and shelter. You are encouraged to monitor state agency social media accounts for the most up-to-date information on any emergency or weather-related situation affecting the state, in addition to any social media accounts for your local emergency management offices.Motorists should be aware that all vehicles should be fully clear of ice and snow before winter travel. If snow or ice is dislodged or falls from a moving vehicle and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious bodily injury, the operator of that vehicle could receive a $200 to $1,000 fine.When winter weather occurs, PennDOT urges drivers to be extra cautious around operating snow-removal equipment. When encountering a plow truck, drivers should:Stay at least six car lengths behind an operating plow truck and remember that the main plow is wider than the truck. Be alert since plow trucks generally travel much more slowly than other traffic.When a plow truck is traveling toward you, move as far away from the center of the road as is safely possible, and remember that snow can obscure the actual snow plow width. Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a "plow train." The weight of the snow thrown from the plow can quickly cause smaller vehicles to lose control, creating a hazard for nearby vehicles.Never travel next to a plow truck since there are blind spots where the operator can't see, and they can occasionally be moved sideways when hitting drifts or heavy snowpack. Keep your lights on to help the operator better see your vehicle. Also remember that under Pennsylvania state law, vehicle lights must be on every time a vehicle's wipers are on due to inclement weather.In addition to driving safely around plows, motorists are urged to drive according to conditions.If motorists encounter snow or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their following distance and avoid distractions.<doc-sep>EMBED >More News Videos Amtrak weekend service modified. Tamala Edwards reports during Action News Mornings on January 18, 2019. PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Before this weekend's winter storm hits the region, Governor Tom Wolf has signed a state of emergency declaration for Pennsylvania.A commercial vehicle ban will be in place between 12 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. Sunday on all interstates and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, except for Interstate 95 in southeastern Pennsylvania to allow snow plow crews to have a clearer route.The ban will also be imposed on the U.S. 22 expressway in the Lehigh Valley and the Pennsylvania Route 33 expressway in Northampton and Monroe counties.State officials urge motorists to use caution during the storm, postpone travel if possible, reduce speeds and be aware of the potential for rapidly changing weather and roadway conditions.Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on the interstates and expressways as the storm progresses.Anticipating the storm's severity, Amtrak has already cancelled the cross-state Pennsylvanian passenger train for Sunday and has cancelled six trains Sunday on the Keystone Line between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.The governor's emergency declaration authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel, as necessary, to cope with the magnitude and severity of the storm's impacts.------<doc-sep>Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Gov. Tom Wolf says he is declaring a state of emergency ahead of this weekend’s winter storm. He announced the declaration on social media, saying: “I’m declaring a State of Emergency as #WinterStormHarper approaches. We’ll be aggressive in managing this storm — snowfall rates could exceed 1-2 inches per hour. Our top concern is the safety of residents. Postpone travel if you can, and be aware of changing conditions.” ⚠️ I’m declaring a State of Emergency as #WinterStormHarper approaches. We’ll be aggressive in managing this storm — snowfall rates could exceed 1-2 inches per hour. Our top concern is the safety of residents. Postpone travel if you can, and be aware of changing conditions. https://t.co/Kk8P8ENeEF — Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) January 18, 2019 RELATED STORY: Winter Storm To Pack Wallop As It Moves Into Western Pa., Through State The state of emergency will allow for increased assistance with storm-related needs. State officials say they will also impose speed restrictions and a ban on all commercial traffic, including buses, on most interstates and the Pennsylvania Turnpike from noon Saturday through noon Sunday. Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on the interstates and expressways as the storm progresses, the governor’s office said. They are hoping that will help road crews keep the roads clear. They are urging people to stay home this weekend if possible, and if you have to go out, take it slow and watch for changing weather conditions. PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said in a press release: “Travel will be very challenging this weekend with the combination of heavy snow, high winds, sleet, freezing and plain rain and then a rapid drop in temperatures on Sunday. If you must travel, please check 511PA for the latest conditions and be prepared in case extreme conditions trigger long delays on your route.” WEATHER LINKS: Current Conditions | School Delays & Closings | Local Radar | Weather App | Photos Amtrak has canceled Trains 42 and 43 on its Pennsylvanian line, which were scheduled to travel between New York and Pittsburgh with stops in Philadelphia and Harrisburg. They also canceled Trains 662, 664, 672, 661, 667 and 671 on its Keystone line, which traveled between New York and Harrisburg. Additionally, a number of airlines with flights in and out of Pittsburgh International Airport have waived change fees for the weekend. The declaration also allows for help from neighboring states and the activation of the Pennsylvania National Guard. For more information, visit the state’s website here. Stay up to date with the KDKA app, which you can download here.<doc-sep>
Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook | Twitter PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A state of emergency has been declared for New Jersey and Pennsylvania ahead of this weekend’s winter storm. New Jersey’s state of emergency begins at noon on Saturday. The upcoming storm is expected to bring heavy snow, high winds, sleet and freezing rain across the two states through the weekend. Temperatures To Drastically Plummet After Second Winter Storm This Weekend In Pennsylvania, there will be speed restrictions and a ban on all commercial traffic, including buses on most interstates and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on the interstates and expressways as the storm progresses. The commercial vehicle ban will be in place between noon Saturday and noon Sunday on all interstates and the Turnpike, except for I-95 in southeastern Pennsylvania. The ban will also be imposed on the U.S. 22 expressway in the Lehigh Valley and the Pennsylvania Route 33 expressway in Northampton and Monroe counties. “We want to be aggressive in managing this storm, during which snowfall rates could exceed one to two inches per hour,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “Our top concern is the safety of residents. If you do not have to travel during the storm, please avoid it. Please heed warnings from emergency responders and personnel, and remember to check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.” Crews, Residents Prepare For 2nd Round Of Snow As First Winter Blast Wraps Up Anticipating the storm’s severity, Amtrak has already cancelled the cross-state Pennsylvanian passenger train for Sunday and has cancelled six trains Sunday on the Keystone Line between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. In New Jersey, the Department of Transportation is prepared to respond to the storm with up to 2,500 plows and spreaders. “The latest forecasts continue to indicate that New Jersey will receive significant snow this weekend,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “We are closely monitoring the approaching snow storm and are prepared to keep New Jerseyans safe. Residents are urged to stay off the roads to the extent possible and always use their best judgment when traveling.” You can get the latest weather updates on CBSPhilly.com.