West Trenton - The Christie Administration has directed the NJ Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) to monitor a significant and severe coastal winter storm expected to impact New Jersey and the tri-state region tomorrow and into Tuesday. National Weather Service forecasters have characterized the event to be "crippling and potentially historic." Up to two feet of snow is forecasted for the western side of the State with nearly three feet forecasted for the coastal counties and Northeast areas of the State. Expected high winds have resulted in a Blizzard Warning for counties on the eastern side of the State.

Governor Chris Christie advised New Jersey residents to maintain a high level of situational awareness regarding the weather conditions. "I urge all New Jersey residents to monitor the National Weather Service forecasts. This is a serious and significant weather event which will create extremely hazardous conditions. Travel will be dangerous and it is not advised."

In addition to extremely hazardous travel conditions, there is the potential for power outages. The storm will be followed a period of sub-zero wind chills.

Colonel Rick Fuentes, State Police Superintendent and Director of the NJ Office of Emergency Management urged New Jersey residents to stay connected to their county and local emergency management offices. A list of resources is found below. "We’re also asking New Jersey residents to stay in touch with older adult relatives or family and friends who are isolated. Please check on them during this time. Natural disasters and isolation often lead to very difficult outcomes."

On the Web - Use credible websites to get information about natural hazards and emergency preparedness. The NJOEM works closely with the National Weather Service regarding storm predictions and forecasts. The NJOEM website contains links to the County OEM social media pages and alerting systems.

• National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mt. Holly –www.weather.gov/phi for Northeast NJ Counties, visit www.weather.gov/nyc
• New Jersey Office of Emergency Management - ready.nj.gov
• ReadyNJ Alerts & Updates Blog: readynj.wordpress.com

Social Media - Social media is used by the NJOEM, and by emergency managers statewide.

• NJOEM on Facebook: www.facebook.com/READYNEWJERSEY
• NJOEM on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ReadyNJ
• NJ State Police on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewJerseyStatePolice
• NJ State Police on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NJSP

Alerts - Mobile / Text (SMS) & E-Mail

• NIXLE - Subscribe to the NJ State Police (NJSP) on Nixle Connect at http://local.nixle.com/new-jersey-state-police/. New Jersey residents can register to receive messages by sending a text message with their zip code to 888777 (data rates may apply depending on your plan). Online registration is also available at www.nixle.com
• NJ Alert - NJ Alert is a free, voluntary, and confidential emergency alerting system that allows NJOEM officials to send E-mail or text messages to cell phones, and other email enabled devices during an emergency event. Sign up for NJ Alert by logging on to www.njalert.gov.
• CMAS -the Community Mobile Alert System - this nationwide system is now being used the National Weather Service to transmit urgent weather info to your cell phone. A warning means the hazard is imminent; a watch means conditions are favorable for the hazard to occur. Your cell phone must be WEA (Wireless Emergency Alert) enabled to receive these messages.

Traditional Media

• Continue to monitor traditional media sources – TV, newspapers and radio – to stayinformed of breaking news and continued coverage of emergency events.
• Find out if your community has a “reverse 9-1-1” system or if you can opt-in for email updates from municipal officials.
• NOAA Weather Radio - is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service Office. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. NOAA Weather Radios are typically inexpensive, easily available in stores and can often be programmed for your specific area.
  

To stay informed about disasters and emergencies in New Jersey via social media, follow the NJOEM on Twitter @ReadyNJ, "like" us on www.facebook.com/READYNEWJERSEY, or get email and text message alerts via www.Nixle.com or www.njalert.gov.