Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday he is declaring a state of emergency across New Jersey, effective noon Saturday, as a winter storm is expected to wallop the state. Murphy also announced a travel restriction barring tractor trailers, car-pulled trailers — anything attached to your car that gives you more than two axles — recreational vehicles, and motorcycles on roads north of Interstate 95. But that does not include the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. “If there is ever a weekend to stay in and binge-watch something, this may be it,” Murphy said during a late-afternoon news conference at the State Police’s Regional Operations Intelligence Center in West Trenton. Murphy said this is a “really challenging system” that could drop up to a foot of snow in parts of North Jersey. But he said the “bigger culprit” will be the potential for ice as the temperature drops Sunday, causing slick, dangerous roads and possible widespread power outages. A governor’s state of emergency declaration typically comes with stern warnings for people to stay off the roads, although law enforcement officers don’t have the authority to ticket drivers. But the order does empower first responders to close roads, evacuate homes, and commandeer equipment or other resources to protect public safety. Plus, after a high-impact storm, state officials seek financial assistance from the federal government to make repairs, and the emergency declaration is a required step in that process. The state of emergency Murphy announced Friday covers all 21 of the state’s counties. This storm comes just hours after after a lighter storm dropped caused delayed openings for some schools and state offices Friday morning. But state officials are urging residents not to be fooled into thinking the second storm will be as timid. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening. The service has also declared a winter storm watch for Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and union counties from noon Saturday until 6 p.m. Sunday. Forecasters are still unclear where the snow will mix with sleet and rain in the central part of the state. Conditions in South Jersey are expected to be more mild. Murphy said the state is coordinating with regional transportation agencies, and the State Police is preparing its emergency operations center. State Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said New Jersey Transit is expected to run on its normal weekend schedule, but bus service could change depending on how the storm plays out. State officials urged residents not to travel during the storm, both to remain safe and not stymie plows and emergency vehicles. “If you do have to go out, be safe, be patient, be prepared,” State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan said. Callahan said those that do go out should carry emergency items like a cell phone, charger, a bottle of water, and a blanket. Murphy said it’s a blessing that the storm is happening on a weekend, followed by a state holiday, Martin Luther King Day, on Monday. “Our aim is to have New Jersey fully ready for the work week,” the governor said. State officials said crews have already begun brining roads and plows will be deployed early Saturday. Murphy joked at an earlier news conference Friday in Woodbridge that he’s OK with the state over-preparing after the November snowstorm that unexpectedly crippled the state — and led to residents lambasting the rookie governor for not being better prepped. “I’m going to be the chairman of the over-prepare club,” Murphy said. Monitor the social media accounts for the Office of Emergency Management and the N.J. State Police for updates: NJOEM on Facebook: www.facebook.com/READYNEWJERSEY NJOEM on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ReadyNJ NJ State Police on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewJerseyStatePolice NJ State Police on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NJSP You may also sign up for text and email alerts: NIXLE - www.nixle.com. NJ Alert - www.njalert.gov. NJ Advance Media staff writers Jeff Goldman, Kelly Heyboer, and Susan K. Livio contributed to this report. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01 Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.<doc-sep>NEW JERSEY (WPVI) -- New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced Friday afternoon that he is issuing a State of Emergency for the entire state effective 12 p.m. Saturday ahead of the impending weekend storm.Light snow fell in New Jersey early Friday as the state prepared for a weekend storm, and Governor Phil Murphy warned residents not to be fooled by the dusting because they are expecting several inches to fall late Saturday into Sunday. "Stay tuned for the weekend, which is a big window with a lot of variability around it," he said. "And at its worst, it could be a lot of snow. So everybody stay safe. "State offices had a two-hour delayed opening on Friday due to the weather conditions, but when it comes to the weekend, Murphy said that he's going to be "the chairman of the overprepare club. ""We've got equipment deployed all over the state," he said. "Roads have been brined. We are doing constant calls. But preparedness is the big watchword. Last winter, we had a series of storms. And while they were commuting challenges, the commutes were largely reasonable given the storms. What wasn't reasonable is we had massive power outages, particularly concentrated on certain pockets of the state. The November storm was completely unacceptable in terms of the commuting experience, but we had very limited outages. We are preparing for something this weekend which could have elements of both, and I'll leave it there. "North Jersey is expecting the brunt of the snow, and officials are asking drivers to stay home and keep off of the roads. "We're going to brine our roads prior to the storm," said Glen Dowson, of the Mahwah DPW. "We're going to come in a couple hours before and brine the roads and the hills, especially, and get the guys here and try to salt the regular roads and break that barrier between the snow and the ice getting to the asphalt. "Fortunately, this storm comes on a holiday weekend, so there should be a lot less traffic on the roads. But it looks like this next round of snow will force many to start digging out just as the frigid blast of air heads our way on Sunday night.-----<doc-sep>NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The first big winter storm of 2019 is in the books and for most it turned out to be a chilly soaker rather than a freezing snowstorm. In New York City, forecasts of a few inches of snow turns into steady rain overnight. To the north, a winter storm warning remained in effect into Sunday morning as up to five inches of snow fell in Orange County. Warnings have been lifted for New York City, but residents should be on the lookout for a flash flood watch issued for the city, northeast New Jersey, Connecticut, and Long Island. WEB EXTRA – Long Island Officials Provide The Latest Information On Coastal Flooding: Saturday night, salt trucks got a head start before colder temperatures created dangerous road conditions. People across the northern suburbs spent the last few days preparing to hunker down for a much bigger storm, gathering snow supplies and food. Most of the build-up could be traced back to November’s crippling snowstorm which caught New Yorkers and officials statewide off guard. “We started at four this morning. The roads are nice, the town did a great job. The state… 32 is perfect. Everything is turning to blacktop… just hope it doesn’t freeze too soon,” snow plow driver Joe Ginzaro said. “It’s a treacherous walk. They’re really good at keeping the roads clear, but it takes some time,” Wayne Bissenger of Highland Mills added. In New Jersey, a commercial travel restriction is in effect for roads north of I-95 but not the New Jersey Turnpike. Con Edison says it has prepared all week with an extra 250 power line workers on hand in case the storm was more severe. As of Sunday morning, travelers at airports in the area are not facing any major issues from the storm. Arrival and departure delays are 15 minutes and under at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Airports. On Saturday, more than 2,100 flights were canceled around the country. The storm has already caused almost 1,300 flight cancellations on Sunday. Anyone heading to a local airport is urged to check with their airline before heading to the airport. New York and New Jersey authorities are continuing to give the same piece of advice: if the weather is bad in your area stay home and stay off the road so road crews can do their jobs.<doc-sep>
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced a state of emergency and travel restrictions ahead of the winter storm.The state of emergency took effect at noon Saturday and covered the entire state. A commercial travel restriction is also in effect on roads north of I-95, but it does not include the New Jersey Turnpike.It wasn't snow they're worried about. It's what happens later Sunday, when temperatures are expected to nosedive as much as 40 degrees in parts of the state over a 24-hour span.Murphy said the storm brought mostly rain but some ice in upper northwest portions of the state. He said the concerns have now shifted to black ice, some flooding and potential power problems.State Department of Transportation crews continue to treat the roads.Heading into the weekend, Murphy said that he's going to be "the chairman of the overprepare club": The state was ready to deploy around 2,500 snow plows. "We've got equipment deployed all over the state," he said. "Roads have been brined. We are doing constant calls. But preparedness is the big watchword. Last winter, we had a series of storms. And while they were commuting challenges, the commutes were largely reasonable given the storms. What wasn't reasonable is we had massive power outages, particularly concentrated on certain pockets of the state. The November storm was completely unacceptable in terms of the commuting experience, but we had very limited outages. We are preparing for something this weekend which could have elements of both, and I'll leave it there. "North Jersey was expecting the brunt of the storm, and officials asked drivers to stay home and keep off of the roads. "We're going to brine our roads prior to the storm," said Glen Dowson, of the Mahwah DPW. "We're going to come in a couple hours before and brine the roads and the hills, especially, and get the guys here and try to salt the regular roads and break that barrier between the snow and the ice getting to the asphalt. "Fortunately, this storm comes on a holiday weekend, so there should be a lot less traffic on the roads.----------