Secaucus Snow Update, 1:45 P.M. Wednesday

SECAUCUS, NJ — The town of Secaucus is prepared to ride out the storm, says Mayor Michael Gonnelli, as the morning's sleet and rain turned over to snow in the 12 p.m. hour.

Conditions and visibility have rapidly deteriorated, but so far no accidents or even fender benders have been reported within town limits, the mayor said. Non-essential staff left City Hall around noon today and City Hall is now closed. Please do not park on any street designated a snow emergency street. Instead, you can park in all municipal parking lots, which are free today.

Gonnelli said he does not expect Secaucus will lose power — "We didn't lose it in last week's storm" — but if residents do lose power, the town library will remain open as a warming station, he said. The library has a generator and is currently open now.

Other parts of New Jersey have not been so quiet: State Police have responded to over 50 accidents so far today, and this vehicle overturned in South Brunswick in Middlesex County in the past hour:

Secaucus has its snow plows out working right now, and has ambulances, EMS and other emergency service vehicles at the ready.

Secaucus decided Tuesday night to close schools. The decision to close schools is usually made after Secaucus Superintendent Jennifer Montesano consults with the mayor, but Gonnelli said she made the decision independently Tuesday night after Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency. Hundreds of other towns, including neighboring Lyndhurst and Rutherford, did the same. A state of emergency means non-essential travel on roadways is not suggested, but it is not a travel ban.

A view down Ninth Street in Secaucus Wednesday. Carly Baldwin/Patch.