New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and Westchester County, New York, Executive Ken Jenkins have declared states of emergency for the forthcoming massive storm expected to dump anywhere from a foot to 18 inches in the Northeast.
Why It Matters
The declarations comes as the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued blizzard warnings for parts of New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, encompassing more than 14 million people, ahead of a massive storm.
Nor’easters are coastal storms named for the northeasterly winds that typically whip shoreline areas. The weather service says nor’easters can form any time of year but are most frequent and most intense from September through April.
Officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to make sure they have enough food, medication and other supplies on hand. NWS Weather Prediction Center (WPC) recommends having enough supplies for at least three days, and to charge electronics.
What To Know
Sherrill announced the declaration in X post on Saturday afternoon, “In preparation for the severe winter storm, I am declaring a State of Emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey – effective at 12:00 PM on Sunday, February 22.”
Jenkins said in his state of emergency announcement Saturday, “We are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of our residents. We strongly urge everyone to stay home if possible.”
The NWS WPC wrote in a Saturday X post that “snowfall rates over 1 inch per hour will occur at times, with snowfall totals as high as one to two feet resulting in hazardous travel conditions.”
The NWS in New York said blizzard warnings are in effect from 1 p.m. ET Sunday to 6 p.m. ET Monday, with “total snow accumulations between 15 and 20 inches, highest amounts across Long Island.”
The weather agency also predicts low visibility, with whiteout conditions expected that will “make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.”
The NWS also warned power outages are expected as wind gusts between 40 and 70 miles per hour, writing, “These strong winds, combined with the weight of heavy, wet snow, will likely result in scattered to numerous power outages.” The strongest winds are expected to blow Sunday evening through Monday afternoon.
What People Are Saying
The NWS WPC said in a Saturday X post: “TODAY is the day to make preparations across the Northeast for the upcoming Nor’easter set to begin tomorrow (Sunday). Power Outages are EXPECTED across parts of the region due to the combination of heavy, wet snow and strong winds lasting into Monday.”
NWS Boston said in a Saturday X post: “[High Impact Winter Storm] A major winter storm will bring heavy snow with blizzard conditions and power outages possible. High confidence in 10 to 20 inches of snow across eastern MA/RI, but more uncertainty across western MA/CT dependent on the western extent of heavy snow.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in an X post on Saturday: “New York, another snowstorm is headed our way. Here’s the latest.
Text NotifyNYC to 629-629 for real-time updates. Call 311 if you see someone vulnerable in the cold.”
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