Sherrill Lifts Emergency Declaration After Winter Storm

Governor Mikie Sherrill lifted New Jersey’s state of emergency Tuesday afternoon as utility crews restored power to the last storm-hit neighborhoods and road crews finished clearing ice from state highways.

The declaration ended four days after Sherrill declared the emergency Saturday as a winter storm dumped up to eight inches of snow across North Jersey and coated roads with a dangerous layer of ice that caused hundreds of accidents.

“New Jersey’s emergency response teams did outstanding work keeping residents safe during this storm,” Sherrill said in a statement. “Our crews worked around the clock to restore power and clear roads, and I’m grateful for their dedication.”

The storm marked Sherrill’s first major emergency since taking office as governor three weeks ago. State officials said the response went smoothly despite the administration change in Trenton.

Power outages peaked at 180,000 customers Sunday morning, with Bergen and Morris counties hit hardest. PSE&G restored service to its last customers Tuesday morning, while JCP&L finished repairs in Ocean and Monmouth counties by noon.

The storm caused at least 15 serious accidents on major highways, including a multi-car pileup on Route 287 in Parsippany that sent four people to the hospital. State Police responded to more than 400 weather-related crashes between Saturday night and Monday morning.

NJ Transit suspended bus service in North Jersey for 12 hours Sunday and canceled dozens of train runs as ice accumulated on overhead wires. Full service resumed Tuesday.

“This storm could have been much worse,” said Colonel Pat Callahan, State Police superintendent. “Residents heeded our warnings to stay home, which kept serious injuries to a minimum.”

The emergency declaration allowed state agencies to coordinate storm response and positioned New Jersey to receive federal disaster aid if damage assessments justify a request. Sherrill’s team said preliminary damage reports show mostly downed trees and power lines, with limited property damage.

Snow totals ranged from four inches in South Jersey to eight inches in Sussex County, but forecasters said the real danger came from freezing rain that coated roads with black ice. Temperatures dropped to 15 degrees in some areas, making repair work difficult for utility crews.

State highway crews used 40,000 tons of rock salt and worked 16-hour shifts to keep major roads passable. The Department of Transportation said all state highways returned to normal conditions by Monday evening.

Sherrill’s handling of the storm response drew praise from county officials who worked with her administration during the crisis. The governor activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center and held daily briefings with utility companies and local emergency managers.

“Governor Sherrill stayed on top of this situation from the start,” said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco. “Her team kept us informed and made sure we had the resources we needed.”

The storm tested New Jersey’s emergency response system after the transition from the Murphy administration. Sherrill kept most emergency management personnel in place and maintained existing protocols for storm response.

State climatologist Dave Robinson said the storm followed a typical pattern for January, when the jet stream can bring Arctic air colliding with warmer ocean temperatures. He warned that similar storms remain possible through February.

“We’re not out of winter storm season yet,” Robinson said. “Residents should keep emergency supplies ready and stay alert to weather forecasts.”

The National Weather Service said no major storms appear likely in the next week, but forecasters cautioned that winter weather patterns can change quickly.

Sherrill’s first weeks as governor have focused on assembling her administration and working with legislative leaders on budget priorities. The storm response provided an early test of her executive leadership.

State officials estimated storm response costs at roughly $3 million, including overtime for highway crews and emergency personnel. The administration said those costs will be covered by existing emergency management funds.

New Jersey typically faces two to three significant winter storms each year, though climate change has made storm patterns less predictable. Last winter brought unusually mild weather, while the previous year saw multiple nor’easters.

Local emergency management directors said the storm highlighted the importance of residents preparing for winter weather. Officials recommended keeping emergency supplies including flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food and water.

“Every family should have a plan for power outages and impassable roads,” said Cape May County Emergency Management Coordinator Martin Pagliughi. “A little preparation goes a long way when storms hit.”

Sherrill’s administration said it will conduct a formal review of the storm response to identify any improvements for future emergencies. The governor plans to meet with utility executives next month to discuss grid hardening and faster restoration procedures.

Weather forecasters said temperatures should remain above freezing for the rest of the week, with no precipitation expected. Road conditions have returned to normal statewide, and all schools that closed during the storm have reopened.

The emergency declaration was Sherrill’s second official act as governor, following her inauguration address that promised effective government focused on kitchen table issues facing New Jersey families.