JERSEY SHORE – Only three days into the new year and several counties are experiencing the first major snow storm of the season.
It’s expected to drop as much as 12 inches of snow over parts of South Jersey. Around 6 a.m. this morning, the snow began in the south and slowly pushed north. The northern part of the state – as well as Monmouth County and parts of northern Ocean County – are likely to only accumulate less than one inch of snow.
Currently, parts of Southern Ocean are getting winds as high as 40 mph and snow falling up to two inches an hour.
Ocean County Road Supervisor Scott Waters said that this morning, road crews are focusing on the southern part of the County, from Lacey Road south.
“We are seeing an accumulation of a slushy mix on our roads. We have already put down salt and we are plowing County roads in areas that need it,” he said. “We will continue to monitor the weather throughout the day and address areas that may be receiving snow or a wintry mix.”
“Ocean County is prepared to handle winter weather whether it be snow, ice, a wintry mix or storms,” said the incoming Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners John P. Kelly. “Our County departments work in partnership to assure safety on our roads and continued accessibility to our programs and services.”
Last night, Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency as five counties are expected to reach high snowfall: Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland and Ocean counties.
The National Weather Service also warned of moderate coastal flooding for both Monday and Tuesday.
Due to the snow storm, several school districts in the area announced either closures or delay openings.
In Ocean County, the following schools are closed on January 3: Barnegat, Berkeley, Beach Haven, Brick, Central Regional, Eagleswood, Island Heights, Jackson, Lacey, Lakehurst, Lakewood, Lavallette, Long Beach Island, Little Egg Harbor, Manchester, Ocean City, Ocean County Vocational, Ocean Township, Pinelands Regional, Point Pleasant Borough, Point Pleasant Beach, Stafford, Toms River and Tuckerton.
