NJ Weather: More Snow, Flooding Possible In Nor'easter

UPDATE: Gov. Phil Murphy provided updates on the storm. Read more: Gov. Murphy Urges NJ To Stay Home, Lifts Nor'easter Restrictions

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy said the nor'easter hitting New Jersey will last longer than expected and could bring more snow, flooding, highway shutdowns and power outages to the Garden State on Tuesday. The governor also addressed concerns that the storm will impact COVID-19 vaccine distribution now that the state's six mega-sites will remain closed on Tuesday.

Murphy provided updates on the nor'easter during an 11 a.m. news conference on Tuesday. Read more: WATCH: Gov. Murphy Issues Nor'easter, COVID, Vaccines Update

Murphy warned New Jerseyans that the nor'easter, which first made its way into the state on Sunday and has dumped as many as 33 inches since then, could extend all the way to Tuesday evening (see impacts below).

Snow was continuing to pile in some spots, and Patch is keeping track of the town-by-town snow totals. Read more: Who Got The Most Snow? NJ Town-By-Town Nor'easter Snow Totals

“Let me say this unequivocally: This is a big one. And it’s going to be with us at this point, we think, until tomorrow night,” the governor said during a news briefing in Woodbridge on Monday.

Much of the state remained under a winter storm watch on Tuesday:

Chad Shafer, the National Weather Service's lead meteorologist, said more snow could actually fall in areas that have not gotten the brunt of the storm – such as South Jersey.

A slow-moving band of heavy snowfall led to continual high snowfall rates, bringing 2 inches per hour overnight.

And ice will be a problem for the entire state once temperatures drop below freezing. Here are the latest snow estimates:

But snow isn't the only problem. Flooding was becoming a problem in South Jersey and along the Jersey Shore, and more could come by Tuesday morning's high tide. A coastal flood warning remained in effect until late Tuesday.

Read more:

• Sea Foam Hits Streets In Point Pleasant Beach Nor'easter (VIDEO)
• Icy Water Floods Highlands In Nor'Easter Snowstorm
• Nor'easter Impacts In Ocean City: Flooding, School Closures
  
• Route 35 In Belmar Closed Because Of Flooding

Roads were also impacted by the storm, and more issues could happen on Tuesday. The nor'easter possibly caused accidents that shut down highways.

Read more:

• Truck Stuck In Snow Closes I-78 West In Bedminster
• Route 1 Edison Closes Because Of Downed Wire
• Crash Slows Traffic On I-295 Near Route 70 In Cherry Hill

Several municipalities also reported slight power outages across the state, with around 1,400 residents in Toms River and 3,000 in Manchester out of power on Monday. JCP&L crews have since worked to restore power in the areas as several hundred were without power on Tuesday.

Read more: 3,000 Homes Without Power In Manchester Amid Storm

If the snow continues and more flooding happens, the number of outages “I'm sure will go up meaningfully,” according to Murphy.

If the wind stays below 40 mph, crews will be able to get to outages much quicker, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joe Fiordaliso added.

“The utilities are working, they have crews coming in from out of state, it becomes a problem when it’s a regional storm because many times we can borrow crews from nearby states. But with a storm like this that’s really covering our region, they have to come from states that are not quite adjacent to New Jersey. I assure you there are out-of-state crews already in the state of New Jersey,” Fiordaliso said.

The state of emergency declared last evening remains in effect and 3,900 pieces of equipment are currently clearing snow and sleet from roadways. Anyone who does not need to be out on the roads is urged to stay inside.

“Let me be as forceful on that point as I possibly can. If you don't need to be out, go back to your house immediately,” Murphy said. “If you’re in your house, don’t leave your house. You’re jeopardizing either one or both of the following: yourself or secondly the crews … trying to clear the roads, or [Col.] Pat [Callahan]’s folks trying to aid folks who need to be on the road.”

We are about to enter the worst of this storm. It is going to be very bad for the next 12 hours.

With snow, high winds, sleet, and freezing rain across the state, we urge all New Jerseyans to stay off the roads, stay home, stay safe, and stay warm. pic.twitter.com/UDGnLZenCi
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 1, 2021

In his remarks, Murphy added that the state has been in talks with the White House and the federal Department of Homeland Security regarding cleanup effort assistance in the coming days.

All NJ Transit and bus services – with exception of the Atlantic City rail line – were suspended until further notice. Highway restrictions have also been imposed as traffic issues have arisen.

“It’s going to be really bad for the next 12 hours, including winds that gust up to 50 mph. Please, please, please stay home,” the governor said.

“We expect new significant snowfall across central and north jersey with up to 2 feet of additional accumulations, possible in some parts of North jersey before all is said and done. In South Jersey, the snow totals will be lower … but our concern remains around the mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain as well as coastal flooding and winds.”

As of Tuesday, New Jersey State Troopers attended to more than 600 accidents and motorist aid calls, with the DOT responding to hundreds of additional motorist aid calls (not counting emergency calls to local and county officials).

According to New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, road crews began preparation efforts early Sunday with 65 prepositioned towing assets throughout the state.

The state emergency operations center was also activated Sunday at 6 p.m.

“This is an all-hands on deck storm, which means it is all of our DOT crews, turnpike crews, parkway crews, Atlantic City expressway crews … it is important that you maintain a distance from them. They are driving extraordinarily large vehicles, they are trying to stay in a plow team to get the roads as clear as possible,” said Gutierez-Skcorchetti.

Murphy also announced that state offices and all six vaccine mega-sites will remain closed on Tuesday. Individual healthcare providers will be reaching out via phone, email and/or text to reschedule any appointments.

• Atlantic (AtlantiCare) - Rescheduled to Friday
• Bergen (Hackensack Meridian Health) - Rescheduled during extended hours throughout the week
• Burlington (Virtua) - Rescheduled during extended hours throughout the week
• Gloucester (County Health) - Rescheduled to Wednesday
• Middlesex (RWJBarnabas) - Rescheduled to Friday
• Morris (Atlantic Health) - Rescheduled to Thursday

To date, 800,000 vaccinations have been administered in the state, including 126,833 second doses. The New Jersey vaccine call center remains open throughout the storm and can be reached at (855) 568-0545.

Yet, while vaccination sites remain closed for the duration of the storm, Murphy remarked that the spread of COVID-19 will not be dormant during the period of inclement weather.

“COVID will not take a snow day, so neither should our vigilance. To spur you to remain vigilant, keep in mind that we have another 3,356 cases to report, along with the heaviest hearts to announce 34 newly confirmed losses of life,” Murphy said.

“We expect this storm to have much more snow in store and conditions today may very well be dangerous. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. Please stay in and stay off the roads. Let our road crews, our power crews, our first responders have the roads to themselves. We want everyone to stay safe and warm.”