Howell Storm Update: Closings, Cancellations March 21

HOWELL, NJ — Howell Township officials issued a township-wide emergency declaration Tuesday night as authorities kept an eye on a nor'easter moving into the area.

The declaration remains in effect even as weather forecasters trimmed back their snow total predictions. The declaration warns residents to remove cars and items such as portable basketball hoops from the roads so crews can plow streets more efficiently.

The massive nor'easter prompted a declaration of a state of emergency by Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday evening, as roads became hazardous. Howell police reported a spike in crashes and urged residents to "stay off the roads if you don’t need to be out."

"If you need to travel, leave earlier and take your time. Be alert. This crash at Kent/Ford was caused from another vehicle that lost control. The occupants suffered minor injuries," police said in a post on Facebook.

In addition to the alerts about hazardous travel, the following closures/cancellations were announced:

All Monmouth County government offices are closed Wednesday, officials announced Wednesday morning.

All branches of the Monmouth County Library are closed Wednesday.

Howell Township Municipal Court is canceled for Wednesday, March 21.

Farmingdale School, Howell Township schools, the Freehold Regional High School District and the Monmouth County Vocational schools are closed Wednesday.

The Howell Township Board of Education meeting has been postponed to Friday, March 23. Read more here.

Howell Township schools also announced that due to the school closure, the opening of the Parent Portal for grade and progress report viewing, and the distribution of kindergarten report cards will be delayed to Monday, March 26 at 3:30 p.m.

The Thursday performance of "Cinderella" at Howell Middle School South has been canceled. A 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday has been added. Thursday's tickets will be honored at any of the performances, at 7:30 p.m. Friday or 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

New Jersey state courts, including the Monmouth County Courthouse, are closed Wednesday.

Call ahead to businesses before you head out to ensure they are open.

JCP&L is reminding customers to immediately report any downed wires to the company, or their local police and fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be used in areas where downed lines are tangled in trees or other debris. To report downed wires or power outages, call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), or click the “Report Outage” link atwww.firstenergycorp.com.

Sign up for email updates on delayed openings or school closing announcements by clicking here.

Photo by Howell Township Police