Christie Declares State of Emergency for New Jersey

UPDATE: Christie on Hurricane Sandy: 'I Feel Like the Disaster Governor'

LOCAL REPORT: Residents Urged to Prepare As Hurricane Sandy Strengthens

Gov. Chris Christie declared New Jersey in a state of emergency during a press conference on Saturday morning, because of the severe weather conditions anticipated from Hurricane Sandy.

Anticipating , Christie said he was taking this step to mobilize government in preparation for the storm.

Christie urged New Jerseyans to be vigilant in monitoring conditions of the storm, its effect on their communities, and in making preparations for themselves and their families.

"As we move towards what is an increasingly likelihood of seeing Sandy make landfall in New Jersey, I am urging all New Jerseyans to take every possible and reasonable precaution to ready themselves for the storm’s potential impact," he said.

That means having an emergency action plan for families and others who may require assistance, and avoiding unnecessary risks in the severe weather, including staying off of the roads, said Governor Christie.

"At the state level, we are taking immediate steps to prepare for the storm’s impact and ensure that state, local and county governments have the tools they need to manage and respond in a coordinated way," he said. "With this, government at every level can respond more effectively to conditions on the ground, activate emergency operations plans, and ensure that resources are being marshaled to assist and protect the public through this storm."

Christie issued evacuations for all residents who live on barrier islands along the Jersey Shore must evacuate by 4 p.m. Sunday, state officials have declared.

There are no plans to close roads other than eastbound entry points, officials said.

Christie said he is canceling plans to be in Nevada to campaign for Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee.

The declaration activates elements of the State Emergency Operations Plan, broadening powers of the New Jersey State Police including traffic control, limiting access and egress from impacted areas and issuing evacuation orders if needed.

As provided by the declaration, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management will be authorized to mobilize and deploy resources beginning immediately to respond to the storm conditions, including resources of the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, state Department of Environmental Protection and state Department of Transportation, in coordination with county and municipal emergency management officials in impacted areas throughout the state.