Nor'easter Pounds NJ: Roads Closed, Downed Trees, Snow Totals

A nor'easter continued to batter New Jersey on Friday as it evolves into a "bomb cyclone," knocking down trees, flooding roads and leaving as much as 13 inches of snow in some towns. A number of crashes were reported on New Jersey roads as more than 35,000 were without power (see below).

Some towns had wind gusts that exceeded 60 mph. "Near blizzard" conditions were evident in the northern parts of the state, but forecasters say snow was falling through much of New Jersey. Read more: New Jersey Snow Totals, Town-By-Town, And Wind Speeds - 3/2/18

More than 40 school districts closed, delayed openings or even dismissed early as they prepared for a storm that forecasters say was becoming worse than expected. A winter weather advisory also expanded to six New Jersey counties on Friday afternoon. Read more: Winter Weather Advisory Expands To 6 NJ Counties

State Police reported 109 crashes and 147 motorist aids since midnight as Gov. Phil Murphy said New Jersey officials were taking the storm "very seriously." He said his office was coordinating closely with the State Police and the Office of Emergency Management.

“Things we’re worried about and focused on are, obviously, a pretty nasty cocktail of high winds, heavy rain — you’ve got high tides early and then snow beginning in more places than not," he said. "We’re also in close contact with the utility companies."

“Big concerns that I would express would be downed power lines. So if you’re in a car, or worse, or more importantly, if you’re on foot, be very careful. Obviously be very careful driving."

Strong wind gusts and heavy rain already knocked down some trees and utility poles in New Jersey. One tree even closed three lanes of I-287. Read more: Downed Tree Closes 3 Lanes Of Rt. 287

Trains were also canceled. All services – including NJ Transit – along the northeast corridor line were temporarily suspended because of the weather. "We apologize for this inconvenience and will be providing updates as soon as possible," Amtrak announced.

The storm underwent rapid strengthening as part of a process called "bombogenesis." The storm apparently evolved into something shaped like – and as powerful as – a hurricane, creating what is known as a "bomb cyclone," according to the National Weather Service.

A winter storm warning was issued around 10 a.m. for Morris and Warren counties. The same warning was issued for Sussex County and parts of Passaic counties earlier. Read more: Winter Storm Warning For Morris County

The storm was battering the Jersey Shore, leaving many of its roads flood-ridden. Flooding was reported in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Read more: Nor'easter Brings Flooding To Monmouth/Ocean Towns

More than including 14,876 customers in Morris County, 6,340 in Hunterdon, 376 in Monmouth, 11,525 in Sussex, more than 3,000 in Camden, 1,558 in Cape May and 1,877 in Ocean.

Flooding was soaking up trains in Hoboken, and water was seeping into train cars. Flooding was also causing problems on Route 22 in Union County and nearby. Read more: Flooding On Rt. 22 East In Union Causing Delays; Griggstown Causeway Closed Friday Due To Flooding

NJ Transit was cross-honoring tickets but the agency wasn't reporting major delays – even with the flooding in Hoboken. Read more: Pools Of Water At Hoboken Terminal; NJ Transit Says 'No Impact'

Hundreds of flights at Newark Liberty International were canceled because of the storm. AirTrain Newark service at Newark Liberty International Airport will be suspended and replaced by shuttle buses beginning at 11:30 a.m. Read more: Storm Cancels Hundreds Of Flights At Newark; AirTrain Suspended

Customers who plan to use AirTrain Newark to travel between the terminals, the Northeast Corridor Rail Link Station, and parking and rental car areas should allow extra time.

Here some reports of downed trees in New Jersey:

Here are the road conditions at press time:

• I-28: Downed tree on I-287 northbound North of Exit 42 - US 46 in Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp. Right lane closed.
• Garden State Parkway: Speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway local and express roadways in both directions from north of Exit 90 - CR 549/Chambers Bridge Rd in Brick Twp to South of Exit 124 - Main St in Sayreville 45mph due to weather conditions and salting.
• US 322: Downed tree and downed wires on US 322 eastbound West of CR 555/Tuckahoe Rd in Monroe Twp. Right lane closed; use caution.
• US 22: Downed tree on US 22 westbound area of east of CR 82/Morris Av in Union Twp. Right lane closed; 5-10 minute delay.
• Betsy Ross Bridge: High winds and Truck restrictions on the Betsy Ross Bridge in both directions between New Jersey side in Pennsauken Twp and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia empty tractor trailer ban in effect, THE SPEED HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 35 MPH.
• Walt Whitman Bridge: High winds and truck restrictionson the Walt Whitman Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side in Gloucester City and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia; empty tractor trailer ban in effect, THE SPEED HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 35 MPH.
• Ben Franklin Bridge: High winds and truck restrictions on the Ben Franklin Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side in Camden and Pennsylvania Side in Philadelphia empty tractor trailer in effect., THE SPEED HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 35 MPH.
• Commodore Barry Bridge: High winds and truck restrictions on the Commodore Barry Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side and Pennsylvania Side in Logan Twp empty tractor trailer ban in effect, THE SPEED HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 35 MPH.
• NJ 47: Downed tree on NJ 47 southbound at CR 739/High St in Maurice River Twp. Right lane closed; use caution.
• US 206: Downed tree on US 206 southbound area of CR 613/Drakesdale Rd in Mount Olive Twp. Right lane closed; 5-10 minute delay.
• US 206: Downed tree on US 206 in both directions area of CR 512/Pottersville Rd in Peapack-Gladstone. All lanes closed.
• NJ 49: Downed tree on NJ 49 westbound West of CR 607/West Av in Bridgeton. 1 to 2 lanes closed; use caution.
• NJ 71: Flooding on NJ 71 northbound north of NJ 33/Corlies Av in Neptune Twp. 1 lane may be closed use caution.
• NJ 36: Flooding on NJ 36 southbound at Miller St in Highlands. 1 lane may be closed; use caution.
• I-80: Downed tree on I-80 eastbound ramp to Exit 4 - NJ 94/US 46 in Knowlton Twp. Partial ramp closed.
• I-80: Downed tree on I-80 eastbound west of Delaware Water Gap Rest Area in Knowlton Twp. Right lane closed.
• Garden State Parkway : Speed restriction on the Garden State Parkway in both directions from south of Exit 159 - I-80 in Saddle Brook Twp to New York state line in Montvale 45 miles per hour, due to currrent weather conditions and salting operations.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Speed restriction on the New Jersey Turnpike in both directions from south of Interchange 6 - Pennsylvania Turnpike in Mansfield Twp to north of Interchange 8A - NJ 32 in South Brunswick Twp Speed reduction to 45 mph for salting operations.
• I-78L Downed tree on I-78 eastbound ramp from westbound Exit 18 - US 22 in Clinton Twp. Partial ramp closed; large branch.
• NJ 15: Downed tree on NJ 15 southbound ramp to NJ 181/Espanong Rd/Weldon Rd in Jefferson Twp. Partial ramp closed.
• US 206: Downed tree on US 206 northbound area of North of CR 607/Lackawanna Dr in Byram Twp. Right lane closed 5-10 minute delay.
• George Washington Bridge: Truck restrictions on the George Washington Bridge in both directions between New Jersey Side/Upper Level in Fort Lee and New York Side/Upper Level in Manhattan . Empty tractor trailers are strongly advised to use an alternative route.
• Outerbridge Crossing: Speed restriction on the Outerbridge Crossing in both directions There are speed restrictions of 30 miles per hour due to adverse weather.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Flooding on the New Jersey Turnpike - Western Spur southbound south of Interchange 18W - I-80/US 46/George Washington Bridge in East Rutherford. All lanes.
• New Jersey Turnpike - Western Spur: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike - Western Spur southbound south of Interchange 18W - I-80/US 46/George Washington Bridge in East Rutherford. Right shoulder blocked.
• Garden State Parkway: Accident on the Garden State Parkway southbound entering at Exit 142 - I-78 in Hillside Twp. Ramp blocked.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway northbound exiting at Interchange 13 - I-278/Goethals Bridge in Linden. Right shoulder blocked.
• New Jersey Turnpike: Accident on the New Jersey Turnpike inner roadway northbound North of Interchange 7A - I-195 in Robbinsville. Right shoulder blocked.
• NJ 15: Accident on NJ 15 northbound area of South of Blue Heron Dr in Sparta Twp. 1 lane may be closed; 5-10 minute delay.
• US 206: Downed pole and Downed wires on US 206 in both directions north of NJ 15/CR 565 in Frankford Twp. All lanes closed and detoured.

Here is what is expected for the rest the storm; coast flooding and high-wind alerts have been issued throughout the state:

Here are some photos and videos of the storm so far:

Chester police poto