New Jersey declares state of emergency as snow falls across New York area

ROCKLAND COUNTY -- Snow is falling across the Tri-State area Wednesday as travelers take to the roads and head for airports for their Thanksgiving getaway. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, and drivers are being urged to use extreme caution on the roads.

Speed restrictions were in place in New Jersey after police said more than 73 crashes and 96 motorist aids were reported, and hundreds of children got an early start to the holiday after their schools closed Wednesday because of the snow.

Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency, authorizing the state director of emergency management to activate and coordinate the preparation, response and recovery efforts for the storm, with all county and municipal emergency operations and governmental agencies.

A winter storm warning is in effect for northwest New Jersey, the interior of northeast New Jersey and the Raritan Valley, with the possibility of 4 to 10 inches of heavy, wet snow. A winter weather advisory in Mercer and Middlesex counties calls for 2 to 4 inches, while coastal sections are only expected to see an inch or less.

New York City has also issued a snow alert and a travel advisory, though accumulations are expected to be on the low side in the city.

The northern suburbs, particularly Rockland and Orange counties, are expected to take the brunt of the nor'easter. In response, O&R, which also services parts of Bergen, Passaic and Sussex counties in New Jersey, has declared a company-wide Storm Alert. Drivers who have to hit the road are urged to exercise caution and allow for additional travel time.

Tips for Motorists

--If you must drive a vehicle, monitor weather and traffic reports for the latest road conditions. Use mass transportation whenever possible.

--Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible as these roadways will be cleared first.

--Drive slowly. Posted speed limits are for ideal weather conditions. Vehicles, including those with 4-wheel drive, take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.

--If you skid, steer in the direction you want the car to go and straighten the wheel when the car moves in the desired direction.

--Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your car in case you break down or become stuck in the snow.

--Try to keep your vehicle's gas tank as full as possible.

--If you get stuck on the road stay with your car and contact a towing company.

Tips for Pedestrians

--Exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible.

--Wear layers including a hat, gloves and scarf to stay protected from the cold. And, keep clothes and shoes dry.

--Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.

--Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

Tops to help customers deal with the storm:

--For safety's sake, don't touch or approach any downed wire. Assume it is energized and dangerous. Call your utility company immediately. Depending on the situation, you may also want to call your local police to divert traffic until an O&R crew arrives.

--Maintain a distance of at least 50 feet from downed wires and anything they are in contact with including puddles of water and fences. Supervise your children so that they are not in the vicinity and keep pets on a leash.

--If a fallen wire is draped over a car, do not approach the car and make rescue attempts. Remain a safe distance away, and try to keep the occupant of the vehicle calm. If possible, emergency personnel should handle the situation.

--Stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, manual can opener, baby supplies and pet food. Set your refrigerator and freezer controls to their coldest settings. Fill the bathtub with water.

--Have emergency equipment within reach - portable radio, flashlights, candles and matches, spare batteries, first aid kit, cell phone and important medications. Update your personal list of emergency phone numbers.

--If you experience a power outage, don't assume that your utility company automatically knows about it or that someone else will report it.

--Remember: if the base station of your cordless phone plugs into the wall, your phone will be unusable during a power outage.

--If a family member relies on electrically operated medical devices, secure a portable generator or make alternate arrangements for care. O&R does not provide customers with generators.

--Keep at least a half-tank of gas in your car. Consider having extra cash on-hand, in case ATM machines don't work.

--Learn how to manually open and close any electrically powered garage door, security door or gate.

For more information, visit O&R's Storm Center at ORU.com

All winter weather information and information about New York City's response to the storm can be found by visiting the City's Severe Weather website at www.nyc.gov/severeweather or by calling 311. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for the Notify NYC, the City's free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can sign up for receive phone calls, text messages, and emails alerts about severe weather events and emergencies.

To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit www.nyc.gov or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.