Newark Mayor Declares State of Emergency

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced a state of emergency as the city mobilizes against a historic winter storm that could dump upwards of two feet of snow on the city.

The declaration means that only police, fire and emergency personnel vehicles will be allowed on the streets after 10 p.m.

“The city of Newark is facing a major snowfall tonight and tomorrow,” Baraka said in a statement. “I encourage residents to stay home and off the roads during and after the storm, as we move to clear the streets.”

The mayor said the first priority will be salting hills, bridges and major road arteries to help traffic flow freely.

Residents should call 973-733-4311 to report streets that need plowing during weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. After hours calls should go to 973-733-5830.

Residents should tune into the government access channel 78 on Cablevision or the city’s Twitter account at www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj.

The city will be activating the JFK Warming Center at 211 West Kinney Street in Newark for residents needing a warm place to sleep.

The city previously announced today that City Hall would be closed on Tuesday and non-essentially services cancelled.

The My Brother’s Keeper event to help black male youths, originally scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, has been postponed.