Over the last 48 hours, the “Great City of Newark” has been transformed into a silent, snowy landscape. What began as a predictable late-February dusting quickly spiraled into a historic event: the first statewide blizzard in 30 years. By Monday morning, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) recorded a staggering 18.3 inches of snow, with whiteout conditions bringing the region to a grinding halt.
The Impact: Power Grid and Infrastructure
The heavy, “wet” nature of this snowfall has put extreme pressure on Newark’s infrastructure. The weight of the snow on tree branches and power lines has left more than 120,000 residents across New Jersey—including thousands in the Newark area—without electricity.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka has issued a formal travel ban, urging residents to stay off the roads to allow Department of Public Works (DPW) plow crews to clear primary and secondary routes.
Community Care: Code Blue and Emergency Services
With sub-freezing temperatures expected to follow the storm, the city has activated a Code Blue Emergency from February 22 through February 25.
- Warming Centers: Emergency shelters are open citywide to protect the vulnerable.
- University Hospital: Newark’s anchor health institution remains fully operational, managing emergency intakes and storm-related injuries.
- Parking Allowances: Residents are encouraged to use designated school lots to keep residential streets clear for emergency vehicles.
The Road to Recovery
While the snow is expected to taper off by late Monday afternoon, the recovery process will be extensive.
- Newark Liberty Airport: Most flights remain canceled. Travelers are advised to check flight statuses remotely rather than traveling to the terminal.
- DPW Parking: Residents who utilize school parking lots must keep vehicles in school lots until at least 3:00 p.m. to ensure plows can complete their cycles.
- Safety First: Officials are reminding residents to clear snow from fire hydrants and check on elderly neighbors.
