NJ Storm Updates: Blizzard Threat Upgraded, Flights Canceled [EXPIRED]

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Forecasters have upgraded the blizzard threat to New Jersey this weekend as the state braces for a potentially paralyzing nor’easter that could easily be the worst storm of the season.

The National Weather Service has now issued a “Blizzard Warning,” saying a nor’easter blowing 60-mph wind gusts could dump as much as 1 1/2 feet of snow over a 36-hour period.

The NWS is warning New Jersey that the “potentially paralyzing” storm could impact 50 million people in the Northeast, and grind the region’s transportation system to a halt.

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“Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and wait for help to arrive,” the National Weather Service warns.

All flights at Philadelphia Airport were canceled for Saturday ahead of the looming blizzard, and a state-of-emergency was declared in Pennsylvania. No word yet if Gov. Chris Christie or the Port Authority, which controls Newark Liberty International Airport, plan to take similar actions in New Jersey.

All major airlines have issued waivers for travel allowing passengers to rebook other flights to avoid the storms, and American Airlines has canceled the bulk of its flights in the Northeast ahead of the storm.

In a news release, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams said this storm “will be a rare event for the region as there are not many storms that bring a foot or more of snow over such a large area.”

Also:

• The National Weather Service has provided an hour-by-hour forecast of the nor’easter snowstorm In N.J., including snow amount totals, wind speeds and temperatures, broken down county-by-county. Read more here.
• A number of towns and school districts have cancelled activities, such as SAT testing, because of the potential blizzard. Read more here.
• Most of the snow is expected to start after 11 p.m. on Friday, falling at a rate of 3 inches per hour.
• The state Department of Transportation and NJ Transit say they’ve stockpiled more than 200,000 tons of salt on to help treat parking lots, facilities and roads.
• Jersey Shore communities are facing the possibility of major flooding that could put this nor’easter In New Jersey’s top-5 worst. Widespread coastal flooding with property damage and road closures is expected, especially at high tide on Saturday and Sunday morning. Read more here.
• Gov. Chris Christie now says he will come back to N.J. ahead of the major storm instead of campaigning for president. Read more here.
• As the winter snow storm predictions intensify, power outages are possible and utility companies are preparing to keep customers out of the dark, because of power-line damage and outages caused by heavy snow and/or wind. Read more here.
• How to Prevent and Deal With Frozen Pipes: One big headache that can accompany snow and single-digit temperatures is frozen water pipes in unheated basements and crawl spaces of local homes. Read more here.
• Trash Collection, Other Services Moved: Some towns, like Toms River, were moving their schedules to accommodate residents as the storm approaches. Read more here.

The Port Authority, meanwhile, says it has taken significant measures to ensure safe, efficient operations at its airports, tunnels, bridges and PATH system throughout the winter event.

Operations personnel will work 12-hour shifts to ensure that facilities can be operated safely. The airports, bridges, tunnels and PATH also have snow desks where key personnel analyze weather reports and deploy staff and equipment.

With a storm of this magnitude, airlines sometimes cancel flights in advance, so travelers should check with their carriers to make sure their flight will be taking off before going to the airport.

The Port Authority also will have supplies of cots and other essential items ready to accommodate ticketed passengers who may become stranded at the airports.

The Port Authority also urges bus travelers to check with their carriers before going to the bus terminals since many public and private carriers may cancel service if conditions warrant. The agency also may impose speed restrictions on its crossings, or close them entirely, if weather conditions warrant.

The Port Authority has the following winter weather equipment and supplies ready at its major transportation facilities:

• More than 200 pieces of snow equipment at its airports, including melters that can liquefy up to 500 tons of snow an hour and plows that can clear snow at 40 mph;
• More than 60 pieces of snow equipment at its bridges and tunnels, including nearly two dozen plows and spreaders at the George Washington Bridge, the world’s busiest vehicular crossing;
• Thousands of tons of salt and sand for airport roads and parking lots, plus thousands of tons of salt for the bridges and tunnels;
• Hundreds of thousands of gallons of liquid anti-icer chemicals at the airports, which prevent snow and ice from bonding to runways and taxiways, plus thousands of tons of solid de-icers, which break up snow and ice already on the ground;
• Plow-equipped trains, liquid snow-melting agent trains and a “jet engine” plow to remove snow from PATH tracks, and snow blowers, plows and spreaders to clear station entrances, roads that serve PATH’s 13 stations, and various support facilities.