More than 55,000 homes in southern New Jersey were without power Feb. 23 following a massive blizzard that blanketed the region in 14 to 16 inches of snow, downing trees and making travel near impossible.
Meteorologist Nor’easter Nick Pittman said the maximum snowfall in New Jersey was 24 inches in Asbury Park and that the average for Cape May and Atlantic counties was 14 to 16 inches.
Pittman said La Nina is fading and the jet stream is just to the south. A wave of low pressure moved along it and was able to “blow up into a quick-deepening low right at the perfect spot.”
He said snowstorms usually are situated closer to the coast, putting the band of snow over the Philadelphia region, but because this one was farther out, southern New Jersey took the brunt.
“As it rapidly intensified, the cold air flipped the rain over to snow. It intensified so quickly, creating heavy bands of snow,” Pittman said.
The meteorologist ranked the storm in the top 10 for the region, putting it behind the Blizzard of 1996 — which he called the “storm that did it for me,” noting he was 4 years old and knew then that he wanted to get into meteorology — and behind the Boxing Day blizzard of 2010 that dropped about 20 inches.
Fortunately, the temperature is expected to warm up into the 40s and 50s and the snow “will rapidly melt and probably be out of here by the end of the week.”
Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency Saturday in advance of the storm, which started Sunday afternoon and lasted past midday Monday. The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management issued mandatory travel restrictions beginning at 9 p.m. Feb. 22 that were extended until noon Feb. 23.
“This extension is necessary due to ongoing hazardous conditions, including heavy snowfall, blizzard-like conditions and strong winds, which continue to create dangerous travel conditions across New Jersey,” the State Police stated in a news release.
The Cape May County Office of Emergency Management issued a Code Blue advisory effective from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Feb. 23-25. A Code Blue emergency is intended to protect people living outside, on the street, in parks or poorly insulated settings who are at risk for cold-related exposure and possible death.
The Cape May County Zoo and all county parks were closed Feb. 23 until further notice. Fare Free Transportation services were suspended. Exceptions included Meals on Wheels, warming center transportation and confirmed dialysis patients.
Cape May County Senior Centers in Lower Township, North Wildwood and Upper Township were closed Monday for the safety of all participants and employees, and to allow county departments to address necessary cleanup.
The Cape May Court House branch of the Cape May County Public Library remained open with limited staff. All other branches were closed.
A statement Monday from Atlantic City Electric noted workers were “fully engaged as Winter Storm Hernando continues to bring heavy snow, strong winds and hazardous conditions across our region.”
More than 200 Atlantic City Electric employees, local contractor crews and mutual assistance resources were mobilized and working around the clock to restore service and protect public safety.
“As part of our response, we are working directly with local and county offices of emergency management to ensure a coordinated approach to restoration priorities and ongoing communications throughout the storm,” according to a statement.
Blizzard conditions continued Monday with further snow accumulations of between 3 and 5 inches and winds gusting as strong as 45 mph.
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian reported high tide was expected at 12:30 p.m. Monday, when the peak water level was expected to be 6.1 feet mean low water. By comparison, the water level reached 7.06 feet MLW as Hurricane Erin passed by Aug. 21, 2025, and 6.95 feet MLW during the Columbus Day weekend nor’easter in 2025, Gillian stated in a report.
All facilities at the Ocean City Community Center were closed.
“These decisions are being made only with the safety of our community in mind,” Gillian stated. “As always, please check on friends, neighbors and seniors to help with storm preparations and to make sure they have everything they need.”
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Cape May Star and Wave
