Nor’easter Impacts In Somerset County: Schools, Roads Closed

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — A "major" nor'easter hit the Somerset County area on Monday, forcing schools, roads, county offices to close.

Here are the latest details for the snow and nor'easter that's hitting many New Jersey towns with 50-mph winds, which could cause power outages, as well as snow, road closures and flooding. Read more: NJ Weather: Timeline, Hour-By-Hour NJ Snow, Nor'easter Forecast

Gov. Phil Murphy told people that they need to get off the roads because it's "dangerous," and he said roads should be clear so crews can make sure essential vehicles get through.

That would include the vehicles transporting the coronavirus vaccine.

"This is a big one," Murphy said during his Monday news conference, telling New Jersey residents, "If you don't need to be out, don't go out.

Murphy said the early afternoon will be the "teeth" of the storm and the state Department of Transportation has 3,900 pieces of equipment deployed to deal with the storm. Murphy also said the storm will likely last until Tuesday night.

The National Weather Service labeled the "major" system a "nor'easter" since it was expected to produce strong, sustained damaging winds and precipitation over a 24-hour period on Monday and into Tuesday.

Murphy declared a state of emergency, suspended trains and buses and restricted travel on highways. Patch is providing regular updates on the details as well as school closings. Read more: NJ Weather: State Of Emergency, Snow Estimates For NJ Nor'easter

Patch also is providing regular updates on local power outages and snow totals. Read more: Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Nor'easter Snow Totals

Murphy closed all six of New Jersey's COVID vaccine mega-sites on Monday, and a number of other sites have also closed. Read more: NJ COVID-19 Vaccine Sites Closing Because Of Nor'easter

Schools

Bridgewater-Raritan Regional, Warren Township, Watchung Hills Regional were among the schools to close to offer students a true snow day.

Montgomery schools are having virtual but with an early dismissal while Hillsborough, Bernards and Somerset Hills will have a full virtual day. All Raritan Valley Community College classes and offices will also operate remotely on Monday and Tuesday.

Roads

Multiple roads were also closed throughout the county including Warrenville Road and Morning Glory Road in Warren, Bonnie Burn Road and Hillcrest Road in Watchung, and Morning Glory, Mountain Avenue, and Washington Avenue north of Route 22 in Green Brook.

Recycling

Somerset County curbside recycling pickups that are scheduled for early this week will likely be impacted. Depending on the severity of the storm, recycling pickups could be suspended or delayed for the following communities:

• Monday: Bernards Twp. / Franklin - Society Hill I & II, Whitehall Manor, Beacon Hill & Surrounding Areas
• Tuesday: Bedminster, Bernardsville, Peapack-Gladstone, Far Hills & Bridgewater - Sunset Lake Area
• Wednesday: Remainder of Bridgewater

Residents of Bernards and the sections of Franklin being served on Monday are asked not to put recycling bins out at the curbside on Sunday night as usual, but to put them out early Monday morning and then leave them curbside until Somerset County Recycling is able to arrive.

If the storm is severe enough, delays could continue to later in the week.

Somerset County residents are being asked to stay off the roadways.

"For their own safety and that of our great road crews and first responders, we are asking Somerset County residents to limit traveling on the roads during this winter storm unless absolutely necessary," said Somerset County Commissioner Doug Singleterry, liaison to Public Health and Safety. "Please check on neighbors who may need assistance, though we ask that everyone continue to practice COVID safety measures when you do so."

The Office on Aging & Disability Services will be suspending curbside services, but clients and caregivers can call 888-747-1122 and leave a brief message with a name, address and phone number and staff will return the call as soon as possible.

Meals on Wheels deliveries are suspended for Monday, and clients are encouraged to use frozen and shelf-stable meals that were delivered earlier in the season.

All Somerset County transportation services, including SCOOT, DASH, and CAT are canceled for Monday.

The National Weather Service labeled the "major" system a "nor'easter" since it's expected to produce strong, sustained damaging winds and precipitation over a 24-hour period on Monday and into Tuesday.

The storm was expected to be fierce enough to cause power outages and more was expected to arrive overnight and into Tuesday (see the forecast below).

Here were the expected snow totals:

State officials said they have more than 400 pieces of road equipment available to make the roads safe, even though fewer people are taking to the roads because of the coronavirus.

Here is the forecast:

Sunday Night: Snow. Low around 24. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Monday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 32. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.

Monday Night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 29. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Tuesday: Snow before 11 a.m., then rain and snow likely. High near 36. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain and snow before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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