New Jersey
LIVE UPDATES: Blizzard-like conditions, power outages impact New Jersey
Major snowstorm grips New Jersey with blizzard-like conditions
Helpful resources:
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Montclair during major winter storm
11:17 PM: News 12’s Jill Croce is out on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair checking in on conditions as a potential blizzard approaches New Jersey.
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Middlesex County during major winter storm
11:17 PM: News 12’s Christine Queally is checking on the conditions in Middlesex County as a major winter storm impacts New Jersey.
DoorDash temporarily suspends operations in New Jersey due to snowstorm
9:56 PM: DoorDash says it has temporarily suspended operations across New Jersey as of 9 p.m. Sunday as a major winter storm moves across the state.
The food-delivery company says that the suspension will last until at least noon on Monday.
The suspension also impacts Philadelphia.
“We’re suspending operations across impacted areas to keep our community safe. This is a serious storm — we’ll resume when it passes,” said DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley.
The company says it will monitor the conditions to determine when service can resume.
WATCH: Mayor Peter Curatolo speaks about snow conditions in Lacey Township
9:56 PM: Lacey Township Mayor Peter Curatolo speaks with News 12 about the snow conditions in the township. A major winter storm is impacting the New Jersey coast.
A look at the snow conditions outside News 12’s studio
9:27 PM: News 12’s Eric Landskroner is outside the News 12 studio in Edison to check on the snow conditions in the area.
Landskroner also speaks with Les – a snowplow driver who has been clearing out the roads and parking lots near the studio for the past 30 years.
Mandatory travel restriction now in effect; NJ Transit rail service suspended
9 PM: Mandatory travel restrictions are now in effect for New Jersey.
The restrictions prohibit all non-exempt vehicles from traveling on state, county, municipal and interstate roadways. The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from this restriction.
Violators may face penalties if they are caught on the roadways during this period.
The restrictions will stay in place until 7 a.m. Monday.
NJ Transit has now suspended all rail service. Bus, light rail and Access Link services were suspended at 6 p.m.
“NJ Transit will be assessing the impacts of the storm throughout the overnight on Sunday into Monday to determine when it is safe to resume service,” the agency wrote.
JCP&L spokesman joins News 12 to discuss winter storm impacts
7:44 PM: JCP&L spokesman Chris Hoenig joins News 12 to discuss the latest impacts of this major winter storm on New Jersey and how utility crews are dealing with outages.
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Montclair during major winter storm
7:26 PM: News 12’s Jill Croce is out on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair checking in on conditions as a potential blizzard approaches New Jersey.
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Edison during major winter storm
7:25 PM News 12’s Christine Queally is checking on the conditions in Edison as a major winter storm impacts New Jersey.
NJ Transit to suspend rail service by 9 p.m.
5:30 PM: New Jersey Transit says that rail service will be suspended by 9 p.m. due to the potential blizzard impacting the state.
“Some service will end prior to 9 p.m. however no trains will begin a new trip after 9 p.m. from their origin point,” NJ Transit officials wrote in a statement.
All bus, light rail and Access Link services will be suspended at 6 p.m.
“NJ Transit will be assessing the impacts of the storm throughout the overnight on Sunday into Monday to determine when it is safe to resume service,” the agency wrote.
WATCH: Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch joins News 12
6: 14 PM: Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch joined News 12 to discuss the major winter storm impacting New Jersey.
The mayor urged residents to stay indoors and to keep their cars off the street so that crews can plow
Newark residents urged not to park in the street; City Hall to be closed Monday
5:24 PM: Newark residents are being told not to park on the street tonight as a major snowstorm moves into the state.
Double-parked cars and cars parked on streets with “No Parking When Road Is Snow Covered” signs will be towed at the owner’s expense, according to officials.
Newark officials say that all city buildings, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday due to the storm. All non-emergency municipal services will also be suspended.
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!
4:00 PM: We want to see your winter storm pictures and videos. Send them in, as long it is safe to do so, to News 12. You may see them in the show.
MONMOUTH COUNTY SHERIFF TALKS STORM PLAN
3:45 PM: News 12 talked with Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden on how they are preparing for the storm. Monmouth County has over 300 DPW crews and 200 plow vehicles.
MIDDLETOWN MAYOR DISCUSSES STORM PREP
3:20 PM: News 12’s Jack Ford spoke with the mayor of Middletown about how the city is preparing to bear the brunt of the storm, with up to 24 inches of snowfall expected.
EDISON MAYOR TALKS STORM PREP
2:40 PM: News 12’s Christine Queally spoke with Edison Mayor Sam Joshi about the township’s storm preparedness. Edison has over 130 crews and 85 vehicles and plows ready to be deployed, according to Mayor Joshi.
UNIVERSITY CLOSINGS
2:05 PM: Monmouth University offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23. All classes will be conducted remotely.
Montclair State University will be fully remote on Monday, Feb. 23, due to the winter storm.
NJ TRANSIT SERVICE UPDATE
1:45 PM: NJ Transit is suspending bus, light rail and Access Link services beginning 6 p.m. Sunday. Trains are currently running but service adjustments are expected later Sunday evening.
VEOLIA WATER RELEASES BLIZZARD RESPONSE PLAN
1:27 PM: Veolia Water is preparing crews and alerting customers to resources should they lose service during the approaching blizzard. The water company serves approximately 1.1 million NJ residents.
AIRLINES ISSUE TRAVEL ADVISORIES
12:57 PM: Air India has issued a travel advisory for the Tri-State area Sunday and Monday, with all flights from New York and Newark cancelled on Monday.
JetBlue will temporarily suspend operations at several Northeast airports during the periods listed below. Customers traveling during this time should expect significant disruptions and cancellations.
New York (JFK)
February 22 at 1:00 PM – February 24 at 5:00 AM
Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA)
February 22 at 4:00 PM – February 24 at 5:00 AM
GOV. SHERRILL PRESS CONFERENCE
12:30 PM: Gov. Mikie Sherrill held a press conference Sunday afternoon to update the state on the major winter storm descending on New Jersey.
All 21 counties in the state are under a blizzard warning for the first time in 30 years, Sherrill said. The governor warned that this is likely to be the worst storm in New Jersey since 1996. There is a 90% likelihood of the whole state getting a foot of snow or more.
The governor said the worst is expected Sunday night into Monday morning.
“These are considerably worse conditions that we are facing,” compared to the winter storm that hit the state last month, Sherrill said.
A speed restriction of 35 mph on state highways will be in effect as of 3 p.m. NJ Transit buses, Access Link and light rail trains will run until 6 p.m., when service will be suspended.
A total of 101,000 tons of salt is ready for the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, and 350,000 tons for other state roads.
NJ Transit trains are expected to run into the evening, but will likely be suspended tonight pending a later announcement, said Sherrill.
“Don’t travel tonight. It’s dangerous,” she said.
Power outages are also expected around the state.
“We also anticipate that wet, heavy snow will cause power outages throughout the state as branches and trees fall,” said Sherrill.
State offices are closed on Monday.
HOUR-BY-HOUR WEATHER FORECAST
9:40 AM: A potentially historic snowstorm with blizzard conditions is in the forecast for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut through Monday. Isolated spots in the tri-state area could see up to 2 feet of snow. News 12 meteorologist Alex Calamia is here with an hour-by-hour forecast to show you when impacts could be at their worst and most dangerous.
Gov. Sherrill appears live on News 12, warns of life‑threatening blizzard
8:48 AM: Gov. Mikie Sherrill said New Jersey is prepared for the approaching blizzard as a state of emergency begins at noon Sunday. Sherrill said blizzard conditions are expected in all 21 counties. “We’re anticipating an incredibly dangerous storm, the likes of which we have not seen since 1996,” she said. Forecasts show two to three inches of snow an hour overnight in some areas, along with heavy, wet snow and winds up to 50 mph, especially along the coast.
STORM RESOURCES
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS
8:50 AM: Commercial vehicles will face travel restrictions on multiple N.J. Interstate highways starting at 3 p.m. Sunday due to a severe winter storm forecast, says NJDOT Acting Commissioner Priya Jain.
AAA warns of power outages and dangerous travel as nor’easter approaches
8:30 AM: AAA Northeast is urging drivers to stay home as snow and blizzard‑like conditions move into the Northeast late Sunday into Monday. The storm brings the possibility of power outages, and drivers are encouraged to charge phones, portable chargers and other essential items before the worst conditions arrive. Road travel may become difficult, and drivers are advised to stay off the roads during and after the storm when possible.
8:40 AM: Mayor James Solomon says Jersey City is bracing for major winter storm
Rider University is closed Sunday and Monday, with no classes held.
FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS
8:10 AM: Flight cancellations are piling up in the area due to the snowstorm. Newark Liberty Airport has hundreds of delays and nearly a dozen cancellations already. Airlines are gearing up for the storm, but it’s likely to get worse. If you’re flying, check with your airline for updates
NJ TRANSIT UPDATE
8:10 AM: NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri says trains and buses will keep running Sunday, but Monday’s morning rush is still up in the air. No official cancellations or changes are announced yet, but that’s likely to change given the storm forecast.
Here are current service changes:
- Bus route 197 will originate and terminate at Greenwood Lake Park and Ride due to the inclement weather. NJ Transit rail will accept NJ Transit bus tickets and passes on Port Jervis Line trains to and from Harriman, Tuxedo and Sloatsburg stations. Short Line Bus will accept NJ Transit tickets and passes in Orange County.
- Rail service (except ACRL) is operating on the Portal Cutover weekend schedule. Midtown Direct service will operate to/from PSNY with no diversion to Hoboken. No cross honoring in Hoboken.
SHARK RIVER CLOSED TO MARINE TRAFFIC
7:50 AM: The Route 71 drawbridge over the Shark River is closed to all marine traffic between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea. The channel is being closed so the bridge can be lowered and secured ahead of the winter storm.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE WHILE SHOVELING
7:45 AM: As the region prepares for significant snowfall, safety experts are reminding residents to take simple steps to avoid injuries while clearing walkways and driveways.
Many of the most common winter injuries happen during shoveling, which can strain muscles and increase risks for people with existing health issues. Officials say a few small habits can make the process much safer.
- Stretch before you start to reduce the chance of muscle strain.
- Take rest breaks every few minutes, especially during heavy or wet snow.
- Don’t overexert yourself — stop immediately if you feel pain or shortness of breath.
- Be careful when walking on snow and ice, which can be extra slippery under fresh accumulation.
- Offer to help neighbors who may have difficulty clearing snow on their own.
- If you have a heart condition, be extra careful and consider asking someone else to shovel for you.
7:30 AM: PSEG’s tips for power outage safety:
- Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines
- Create an emergency kit
- Stock up on bottled water and nonperishable food
- Charge your phone before the storm hits
Ranney School student plays music for Monmouth Medical Center patients
Ava Silva Costa, a sophomore at the Ranney School in Tinton Falls, has started Arturo Healing Hearts, bringing her violin music to area hospitals.
Hospitals are an important need in the world.
And finding a facility with high-quality medical care that’s reliable is also important.
Newsweek, the premier news magazine and website, has partnered with Statista to release a dependable guidance list of the World’s Best Hospitals – United States for 2026.
In it’s eight year, these ranking highlights the leading hospitals around the globe so readers can find information tailored to their needs and location the report stated.
Each hospital was reviewed and given a score based on four data sources: recommendations from medical experts; hospital quality metrics, existing patient experience data and Statista’s Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Implementation Survey.
In typical New Jersey fashion, the Garden State makes the list among the 2,500 hospitals that were evaluated this year.
Nine hospitals from the Garden State made the list with one representing Monmouth County. With an overall score of 61.79% and the Infection Prevention Award, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch made the top 9 list for roster in World’s Best Hospitals 2026 from Newsweek.
World’s Best Hospitals 2026 in New Jersey
- No. 53: Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center in Morristown; overall score: 70.74%
- No. 56: Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack; overall score: 70.07%
- No. 134: The Valley Hospital in Paramus; overall score: 65.36%
- No. 186: Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center in Summit; overall score: 64.42%
- No. 254: Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Englewood; overall score: 63.13%
- No. 320: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick; overall score: 62.26%
- No. 364: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark; overall score: 61.82%
- No. 366: Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro; overall score: 61.80%
- No. 367: Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch; overall score: 61.79%
New Jersey
Newly released body cam footage shows response to massive industrial explosion in Gloucester County
LOGAN TWP., N.J. (WPVI) — Newly released body camera footage gives us a first look at the heroic actions of first responders on the scene of a massive industrial explosion in Gloucester County earlier this month.
The explosion happened at an industrial facility in Logan Township, New Jersey, on March 4 and left several workers injured.
The initial blast could be heard miles away.
Now, we are getting a look at the frantic rush to help in the moments after it happened.
New details released after massive explosion at Logan Twp., New Jersey factory
In the footage, you can hear the police officers frantically trying to locate people who were injured by the blast at Savita Naturals.
Large propane tanks burned in the background as rescuers tried to account for any survivors.
At one point, first responders are seen running inside the building to look for people. You can see damaged walls and debris everywhere.
Four people were injured in the blast, with one of them being thrown off the roof and into the woods near the water tower.
Amazingly, the worker was found alive by a fence. He was badly burned, but able to talk.
First responders had to load him in a truck and get him to the road, where a Logan Township officer tried to keep him calm as they waited for an ambulance.
Body cam video shows an officer calling the man’s wife to let her know he was alive.
That officer stayed by his side until he was finally loaded into a police car and rushed to the hospital.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
How hunters in NJ are helping feed the hungry, food pantries
See how hunters in New Jersey are working with food pantries to help feed the hungry in the state.
For more than 25 years, hunters around the Garden State have been making a difference by working with Hunters Helping the Hungry, a nonprofit organization that raises money and coordinates the efforts of hunters, butchers, and food banks throughout New Jersey to help put food on the table for those in need.
The program began during the 1997/1998 hunting season, a result of the efforts of three Hunterdon County hunters along with help from a butcher named John Person and Kathy Rummel, the director at the time of Norwescap.
“We started out 25 years ago just as hunters, you know, wanting to go out and get some extra deer. New Jersey had very liberal deer quotas and bag limits. You could get unlimited does,” said Lester Giese, one of the founders of Hunters Helping the Hungry. “I was on a trip, and I was going through West Virginia, and I saw at one of the gas stations a brochure for Hunters Helping the Hungry. I picked up the brochure and looked at it and said, ‘What a great idea.’ When I got back, as it turned out, the state legislature just recently passed a law to allow venison donations.”
Five deer were donated during that first season, according to Giese. Today, the organization averages about 1,000 donations per year, which amounts to between 23,000 and 28,000 pounds of venison, he said.
Overall, since the program’s inception, Hunters Helping the Hungry has facilitated the donation of nearly 2.5 million servings of venison.
While the program originally started as a way to assist hunters who could harvest more deer than they could use, the organization’s mission has expanded. According to its website, Hunters Helping the Hungry currently aims to:
- Continue paying butchering costs for hunters who are able to take more deer than they can use;
- Support municipal and private property owners that pay for the butchering process directly while they attempt to reduce the deer population on their property;
- And set aside a portion of grants from the state Department of Agriculture to support and pay for the butchering of deer taken by farmers and their agents during depredation hunts.
These efforts ultimately help New Jersey’s food bank system and provide a source of protein to those in need, while also keeping the state’s deer herd in check
“So, kind of a nutshell, we started out just a small group of us with a small focus,” Giese said. “And now we’re trying to do a lot of things for a lot of people.”
The process: From forest to food pantry
In New Jersey the deer hunting season runs from the second week of September through the second week of February. According to Hunters Helping the Hungry board member Mark Charbonneau, this is one of the longest hunting seasons in the United States.
Hunters who want to make a donation bring their legally harvested deer to one of the state-inspected butchers that partner with the organization. Processing fees are paid to the butcher by Hunters Helping the Hungry from a fund consisting of donations and grants.
The butcher processes the deer at no cost to the hunter and gives it to one of the participating food banks, such as Norwescap, which partners with pantries in Warren, Sussex, and Hunterdon counties.
Venison issued to the food banks is distributed to over 400 charities around the state.
Although New Jersey’s deer hunting season starts in the fall, Charbonneau, a board member of about 20 years and a hunter of about 40, says that the process starts well beforehand.
“The process actually starts before hunting season starts. What I mean by that is hunters will start scouting certain locations to be able to know where deer are, to be able to prepare to harvest them legally and as ethically and quickly as possible,” said Charbonneau, adding that less than 2% of the New Jersey population are deer hunters.
Charbonneau continued, “So when you start that process of scouting areas, setting up your locations, then going afield, then harvesting your game, then removing your game from the field, then field dressing it properly, then bringing it to a butcher, then making that donation, there’s a lot of steps involved and there’s a lot of time involved.”
JB Person, an Hunters Helping the Hungry board member and the owner of GameButcher in Lebanon, is one of several participating butchers that process the donated deer.
“What the hunters do is come here, they have to fill out some paperwork, and along with the paperwork we request they also fill out a donation slip. They donate the whole deer,” Person said. “What we do is skin it and process it into various cuts – roast, steak, chops, and ground meat. Everything is cut, wrapped, and frozen and then when we have a bunch ready to go, I get in touch with Norwescap and then they come and pick it up.”
Game Butchers averages between 150 and 200 donated deer per year, according to Person, who added that Hunters Helping the hungry is “in desperate need of butchers.”
How to donate deer to Hunters Helping the Hungry
Hunters looking to make a donation can take their legally harvested deer to any of the participating butchers listed on the Hunters Helping the Hungry website.
Once the required forms have been filled out, the butcher will process the deer. The food bank will then pick up the processed deer from the butcher and distribute the frozen venison to various food pantries, emergency shelters, churches, etc.
If the dressed weight of the deer is more than 50 pounds, Hunters Helping the Hungry will pay the entire processing fee, according to the organization’s website. If the dressed weight of the deer is less than 50 pounds, the hunter will be required to pay the first $50 of the processing fee.
Throughout the 2025/2026 hunting season, a total of 802 deer were donated to Hunters Helping the Hungry. This amounts to 26,846 pounds of venison which yields 107,384 servings.
“The number one thing that people need to know about our organization is that the hunters of the great state of New Jersey are the reason for our success,” Charbonneau said. “The hunters have taken it upon themselves in the great state of New Jersey to go afield every year and harvest game to help those not as fortunate as most.”
For additional information about Hunters Helping the Hungry and how you can donate and/or get involved as a hunter or a butcher, visit the organization’s website at https://www.huntershelpingthehungry.org/.
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