Storm Impacts In Newark: State Of Emergency, Airport, Schools

This article was updated at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 17.

NEWARK, NJ — Newark was among the New Jersey municipalities that made preparations and battened down the hatches in the face of a nor'easter predicted to cause heavy winds, snow and rain.

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 Wednesday and Thursday. The storm was fierce enough to knock down power lines and cause power outages, forecasters said.

On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy issued a state of emergency for New Jersey as some forecasters said a foot of snow may be headed to some areas of the state. Other areas could get winds as strong as 60-mph and heavy rain. READ MORE: Gov. Murphy Declares State Of Emergency For NJ Nor'easter Snow

NEWARK STATE OF EMERGENCY

Newark has also declared a municipal state of emergency due to the storm forecast.

Mayor Ras Baraka signed an executive order declaring a snow emergency in the City of Newark starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. It will last for a minimum of 24 hours, unless extended.

The city will activate all emergency plans in place to address the impending winter storm, ensure that all roads are safe to the public, and tow all abandoned or parked cars if necessary for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public, officials said.

Travel will be limited to avoid creating life-threatening circumstances and to allow for the safe cleanup of the streets, Newark officials said.

Residents must adhere to Gov. Murphy’s statewide declaration of emergency, as well as all COVID-19 protocols, which remain in place, Newark officials said.

"We have prepared to face the first major storm of this season to protect our residents," Baraka said. "I urge all Newarkers to stay safe and informed by following us on social media, checking our website or watching NWK TV for updates. Avoid driving during and after the storm, take precautions to keep your homes safe, and check on your neighbors."

City of Newark government buildings will remain closed on Thursday. Also all COVID-19 testing sites will be closed Thursday, except the St. James Health locations at 332 South 8th Street (973-245-0060), and 228 Lafayette Street (973-789-8111).

Meanwhile, downtown businesses were asked to consider closing by noon on Wednesday due to the forecast.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said the request was being made to help workers exit the downtown area in a timely manner and get safely home.

The storm also impacted operations at Newark Airport, with more than 20 percent of flights canceled, officials reported.

NEWARK ROADS, PARKING

Residents can report any non-emergency weather related issues to Newark police at 973-733-6000. For emergencies, including downed wires and trees, dial 911.

Newark safety officials also asked residents to pay attention to local "no parking on snow covered roads" rules.

"Drivers are advised to use their driveways to park or to park their vehicles in the nearest Newark Board of Education property," officials said.

In addition, the following areas should be avoided due to the potential of floods, officials said:

• Clay Street and McCarter Highway
• South Street and Van Buren Street
• Jefferson and Chestnut Streets
• State Street near Broad Street
• Jabez and Backus Streets
• 357 Wilson Avenue
• Manufacturers Place and Hyatt Street
• Magazine Street and Avenue L
• Magazine Street and Amsterdam Street
• Raymond Boulevard and Blanchard Street
• Avenue L and Wilson Avenue
• Wilson Avenue and Avenue K
• Mary Street and Avenue L
• Ferry and Foundry Streets
• Hyatt Avenue and Wilson Avenue
• South Street and Adams Street
• South Street and Pulaski Street
• South Street and Pacific Street
• South Street and Dawson Street
• Pacific Street and Calumet Street
• Pulaski Street and Clifford Street
• Jefferson Street ad Clifford Street
• Van Buren Street and Clifford Street
• Foundry Street and Roanoke Avenue
• Foundry Street and Avenue P
• Norfolk Street
• Orange Street
• Nesbitt Street
• McClellan Street and Runiak Avenue
• McClellan Street and Frelinghuysen Avenue
• Frelinghuysen Avenue and Peddie Street
• Frelinghuysen Avenue and Noble Street
• Noble Street and Meeker Avenue
• Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue
• Martin Luther King Blvd. and State Street
• Martin Luther King Blvd. and Orange Street, and
• Frelinghuysen Avenue and the Route 22 underpass

Live on a county-maintained road in Newark? Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura asked that residents refrain from parking on those streets from Wednesday to Thursday.

The pair of officials stated:

“Keeping the roads open will make it easier to remove snow and enable public works crews to plow from curb to curb. Weather forecasts indicate a significant snowstorm will arrive Wednesday afternoon and continue through Thursday morning. The heavy snow may cause tree limbs and electrical to break.”

DiVincenzo and Fontoura warned residents to not touch live wires or drive near them.

NEWARK SCHOOLS

Due to the weather related state of emergency in New Jersey and Newark, all remote learning classes and any school related activities for Thursday, December 17 were canceled in the Newark Public School District.

The central office remained open, officials said.

NEWARK CODE BLUE

City officials are activating a “Code Blue” for Wednesday December 16, to Friday, December 18. “Code Blue” is called when temperatures reach 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or lower without precipitation, 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower with precipitation, or a wind chill factor of 0 degrees or lower.

"I urge our residents to take precautions to keep their homes safe and to be warm when they are out, and to check on their neighbors, especially the disabled, children, and the elderly,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

There are emergency shelters operating during the extreme cold weather that have partnered with the city to provide overnight sheltering. For more information about sheltering services, contact the shelters listed below or the Department of Health and Community Wellness, Division of Social Services at (973) 877- 9494, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY

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 outbreak.

AccuWeather is saying the system could be the "most significant winter storm in several years," one that could potentially become highly impactful and disruptive as the first round of coronavirus vaccines continue to be shipped around the country.

AccuWeather is warning of major disruptions to travel and even travel shutdowns, as well as shipping delays, school closings and power outages from this "blockbuster storm," – even though a number of New Jersey school districts have said they'll opt to go remote instead of closing.

The latest weather forecast includes:

• Wednesday night- Rain and snow, then rain after midnight. The rain, snow, and sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 29. Windy, with an east wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation expected.
• Thursday - Snow likely, mainly before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a north wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

This article contains reporting by Tom Davis, Patch staff

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