January 18, 2019
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
A woman walks along Market Street during a mid-November snowstorm, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018.
Gov. Tom Wolf declared a state of emergency for Pennsylvania on Friday afternoon ahead of winter storm Harper’s arrival in the Northeast this weekend.
The declaration includes a commercial vehicle ban on nearly all interstates, excluding Interstate 95, and also includes the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It also includes the U.S. 22 expressway in Lehigh Valley.
The ban begins at noon on Saturday and lasts until noon on Sunday.
“Our top concern is the safety of residents," Wolf said in a release.
"If you do not have to travel during the storm, please avoid it. Please heed warnings from emergency responders and personnel, and remember to check on your neighbors, especially the elderly.”
⚠️ I'm declaring a State of Emergency as #WinterStormHarper approaches. We'll be aggressive in managing this storm — snowfall rates could exceed 1-2 inches per hour.
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) January 18, 2019
Our top concern is the safety of residents. Postpone travel if you can, and be aware of changing conditions. https://t.co/Kk8P8ENeEF
The storm is expected to bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the entire state. Northwestern Pennsylvania could see up to 14 inches, and the majority of the state is expected to see at least two inches.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also declared a state of emergency for the Garden State:
I am declaring a State of Emergency for the entire state, effective noon tomorrow.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) January 18, 2019
We are also instituting a commercial travel restriction on roads north of I-195, but not on the Turnpike.
For updates, follow @NJSP @ReadyNJ @NJBPU @NJDOT_info & @NJGov.https://t.co/OQg1ggSqyd pic.twitter.com/Shy8ybmwCk
Earlier this week, Amtrak cancelled a number of train trips scheduled for this weekend, including six Keystone Line trips between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
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