New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes andNew Jersey emergency managers are asking residents and visitors of the Garden State to be mindful of a potential winter storm tomorrow.

Fuentes is advising that all state residents and commuters prepare for Tuesday impending winter weather which could impact the evening rush hour.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring the approaching storm and is anticipating snow showers throughout portions of New Jersey’s southern, central and northern counties.

Drivers should adhere to those behaviors that constitute safe driving and realize that inclement weather and road conditions will impact their commute. Unnecessary travel is not recommended.

Motorists are encouraged to check for current road conditions at the New Jersey Department of Transportation website: http://www.511nj.org/.

In response to today’s inclement winter weather the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has taken the following actions:

At 6 P.M. this evening, State Police Emergency Management Director Superintendent Joseph R. Fuentes, on behalf of Governor Chris Christie, activated the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC), located at New Jersey State Police Headquarters in West Trenton, NJ.

State Departments which have the personnel and resources necessary to respond to this winter weather event have reported to the State EOC. These agencies include but are not limited to; the NJ Department of Transportation, the Attorney General’s Office, the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, the New Jersey Department of Human Services, the Board of Public Utility, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs.

The NJ Office of Emergency Management is closely working, communicating and coordinating with all 21 of the New Jersey county offices of emergency management as well as the National Weather Service regarding the storm.

To assist with plowing operations, the Department of Transportation is requesting that State, County, and Municipal Police remove abandoned or disabled vehicles on state and interstate roadways. This will remain in effect from midnight on Wednesday, January 12, 2011, until 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Owners of abandoned or disabled vehicles should make every effort to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency to locate their vehicle. Towed vehicle may be subject to towing and storage fees.

Additional State Police personnel have been deployed throughout the Garden State to assist in traffic management as well as assist motorists in distress.

The above mentioned emergency operation will continue until the conclusion of said winter storm.

(YWN Storm Center – 2011)