New York, New Jersey declare emergencies as powerful nor’easter approaches

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday that they are declaring states of emergency for the most vulnerable counties as a powerful nor’easter approaches the region this weekend. Hochul’s order covers Nassau, Suffolk, New York City and Westchester, while Murphy’s declaration applies to all 21 New Jersey counties. The moves give officials broader powers to mobilize resources, suspend certain regulations and request federal assistance before the storm hits.

The storm is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding to the densely populated corridor. The National Weather Service predicts up to 12 inches of snow in parts of Long Island and northern New Jersey, with gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour along the coast. Storm surge could push water several feet above normal levels in low‑lying neighborhoods. The timing is critical because the region is already coping with a delayed recovery from last winter’s blizzard and a summer of extreme heat that has strained power grids. Climate scientists say a warming ocean is feeding more intense storms, making early‑season nor’easters increasingly likely.

Local emergency managers have already begun pre‑positioning sandbags, generators and snow‑removal equipment. Schools in the affected New York counties are set to close on Saturday, and several major highways will be placed under travel advisories. Utility companies say crews are on standby to restore power quickly if outages occur. Mayor Eric Adams of New York City thanked the governors for acting swiftly and urged residents to stock up on food, water and medication. In New Jersey, Gov. Murphy’s office urged residents to register for the state’s emergency alert system and to avoid non‑essential travel.

The declarations give state officials the authority to request a federal disaster declaration if damage exceeds state capabilities. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are monitoring the situation and stand ready to deploy resources. As the storm moves inland Saturday night, officials will assess impacts and decide whether to extend emergency measures. The actions taken now aim to reduce injuries, protect property and speed recovery once the storm passes.