Toms River Storm Update: Closings, Cancellations March 21

TOMS RIVER, NJ —

Toms River officials were reminding residents to get vehicles off the streets amid a winter storm that is expected to blanket much of New Jersey with a foot of snow.

The massive nor'easter prompted a declaration of a state of emergency by Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday evening, as roads became hazardous. The Ocean County Sheriff's Office issued multiple warnings about the slick conditions, urging motorists to slow down.

Plow crews are expected to be dispatched Wednesday morning and will continue throughout and after the storm.

In addition to warnings about hazardous conditions, alerts were issued about closings and cancellations.

Ocean County Mall officials tweeted that the mall was open as of 11:30 a.m. "A number of our retailers have decided to close, so if there is a particular store or eatery you are interested in visiting, please call ahead to make sure they are open."

All branches of the Ocean County Library are closed Wednesday, which is a change from the delayed opening announced Tuesday evening.

The Toms River Regional Board of Education meeting scheduled for Wednesday night has been postponed to Wednesday, March 28.

All Toms River Township offices are closed Wednesday, March 21 and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Toms River Regional schools, St. Joseph's Elementary and Donovan Catholic, and the Ocean County Vocational Schools all are closed Wednesday, along with most schools in the state. Read here for information about snow days.

New Jersey state courts, including the Ocean 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 at www.firstenergycorp.com.

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

Kylie Macallister, 12, of Toms River made a snowman on the first day of spring Tuesday. Photo by Rich Weiland, used with permission