Gov. Chris Christie announced on Friday that the Garden State Parkway south of Exit 98 in Wall Township will be closed to southbound traffic beginning at 8 p.m. Friday. Traffic will be routed at that exit to Interstate 195 West.

He says the closure is to allow emergency vehicles to be able to move up and down the state to respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

Christie says there’s no reason to allow motorists to travel beyond that point.

New Jersey is under a State of Emergency. Hundreds of National Guard troops have been activated ahead of the storm.
Mandatory evacuations on Long Beach Island began Friday morning.

“We are urging residents not to go to the shore this weekend,” Christie said.

“I am urging people to leave (the shore) by tomorrow (Friday), especially the barrier islands. The local shelters will be open soon,” said Christie.

Significant levels of flooding are in the forecast.

“People should not take this lightly,” Christie said.

(MyFoxNY / YWN Desk – NYC)