January 23, 2026

Governor Sherrill Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Storm

Earlier today Governor Sherrill held a briefing declaring a state of emergency for all 21 counties ahead of this weekend’s storm. During the briefing Governor Sherrill advised municipalities having any local issues to contact their County Office of Emergency Management.

Governor Sherrill noted that the port has road salt and that Morton Salt has stopped all private work and they are working to supply municipalities and counties.  Local governments will have “front-of-line privileges.”

Executive Order 8 was issued in anticipation of a severe winter storm causing hazardous weather conditions across the state, including heavy and widespread snow, prolonged periods of dangerous temperatures below freezing, and wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour. The Executive Order will take effect at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026 and will remain in effect until such time as it is determined that the Emergency no longer exist. 

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) will issue a commercial vehicle restriction for all tractor trailers, empty straight CDL-weighted trucks, passenger vehicles pulling trailers, recreational vehicles, and motorcycles at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, effective for the following roads:  

• I-76 (entire length); 
• I-78 (entire length); 
• I-80 (entire length);
• I-195 (entire length); 
• I-280 (entire length); 
• I-287 (entire length); 
• I-295 (entire length);
•  I-676 (entire length); and 
• New Jersey Route 440, both directions from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287. 

Governor Sherrill encouraged New Jerseyans to visit ready.nj.gov for important weather updates and safety information. 

Contacts: Mike Cerra, Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 120 or Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, ext. 112