County Offices, Libraries Set Late Openings

UPATE (Friday, 8 a.m.): Somerset County offices will open at 10 a.m. Friday, following the overnight storm. All Somerset County Library branches will be closed until 1 p.m.

Snow is still in the forecast, but the concern for officials is shifting to the winds and cold temperatures: currently, it's 12 degrees with winds gusting to 20 mph, putting the wind chill below zero. 

UPDATE: Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District schools will be closed Friday, as the winter storm begins to pile snow up on township roads.

Also, late Thursday, Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency, limited travel to essential personnel, and order state offices closed on Friday.  

Original post: After-school activities and tonight's board of education reorganization meeting have already been canceled, as a winter storm brings frigid temperatures and blizzard-like conditions to the area.

Somerset County Senior Centers and Raritan Valley Community College will be closed Friday, also.

Officials are urging residents to take precautions to be prepared for the storm, since the snow accumulation and wind chill temperatures forecast  will make travel difficult, if not dangerous, on Friday.

Be sure to have adequate supplies of medications, bottled water and food, and flashlights and batteries for emergencies. 

In the event you experience a power outage or a gas leak, be sure to contact your service provider (PSE&G: 1-800-436-7734; Jersey Central Power & Light: 1-888-544-4877). 

The snow is expected to begin about 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., with the worst snowfall between about 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.—stay safe and be sure to send photos of what you see to our open blog documenting the storm.