Governor Chris Christie has declared a state of emergency for the Garden State as Hurricane Sandy moves closer to New Jersey shores.
Hurricane Sandy
As of 2.pm. today, Hurricane Sandy remained a category 1 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center, and remains poised to deal a devastating blow to New Jersey it is likely never to have seen before.
Christie said that the state is ready and prepared for the storm which will bring 50-75mph winds for an anticipated 36 straight hours. The governor has ordered a mandatory evacuation of all the state’s barrier islands south of Sandy Hook.
While holding a press conference yesterday in Middletown, Christie stated “Everyone’s saying, ‘this is crap, it isn’t going to happen, the weathermen always get it wrong, so I’m just going to hang out here’. “Please don’t, ok? We have to be prepared for the worst here.”
Press Conference
Christie also held a press conference in Northern Jersey saying all in evacuation zones must be out by 4:00 p.m. tonight.
“We can’t stop the storm. But we can prepare and we are ready,” said Christie.
The state will also suspend mass transportation on Sunday evening and he requested all state schools to be closed on Monday.