Blizzard hits Pennsauken as New Jersey declares state of emergency
Snow storm coverage across Philly area and New Jersey: Everything you need to know
FOX 29 Meteorologist has the latest forecast update as reporters Kelly Rule, Chris O'Connell and Jeff Skversky cover the wet and heavy snow hitting the Philadelphia and New Jersey area Sunday night.
PENNSAUKEN, NJ - A powerful blizzard is pounding Pennsauken and much of New Jersey, prompting a statewide emergency and shutting down travel as snow piles up and road conditions worsen.
Crews work nonstop as snow piles up
What we know:
Plow trucks are treating major roads from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge to Route 38, and crews say they will be working through the night.
For the first time in 30 years, all 21 counties in New Jersey are under a blizzard warning.
"It is a serious storm so please take it seriously — stay inside. Get off the road tonight. In our last storm, I said don’t travel if you don’t have to — now, I’m just saying don’t travel tonight. It’s dangerous. This is a very heavy, wet snow," said Mikie Sherrill.
The Camden County Department of Public Works is plowing and salting 1,200 lane miles, and New Jersey Transit has suspended all service since 9:00 p.m. Schools across Camden County are closed Monday.
At a Pennsauken Wawa, workers hustled to keep walkways clear as snow kept falling.
Camren Boulden, a snow plower, said, "We are going back-and-forth doing what we can."
State police have issued a mandatory travel restriction, ordering all non-essential personnel off the roads.
Residents rush to prepare as conditions worsen
Forecasters expect up to 12 inches of snow, with wind gusts reaching 45 miles per hour. State officials say more than 450,000 tons of salt are ready to treat roads.
Before the worst of the storm hit, shoppers crowded the Wegmans in Cherry Hill for groceries. Fernando Marcos described the roads as "really bad right now."
Chris Witting said, "Stay in the house and try to shovel out for work on Tuesday."
Residents are being asked to stay off the roads and give plow crews room to work as snow continues to fall steadily.
What we don't know:
It is not yet clear when travel restrictions will be lifted or when New Jersey Transit service will resume.
New Jersey State Police announce mandatory travel restriction ahead of winter storm
The New Jersey State Police have issued a mandatory overnight travel restriction as a powerful winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions and strong winds across the state.
The total snowfall amounts and the full impact on power and infrastructure are still unknown.
The Source: Information from state and local officials, Camden County Department of Public Works and interviews with residents.