A powerful winter nor’easter is expected to move up the East Coast from Sunday into Monday, bringing heavy snow to the I-95 corridor and prompting the second blizzard warning for New Jersey this year.
In response, Rowan University announced that all campuses and facilities will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, through Monday, Feb. 23, as the nor’easter approaches the region.
In a Rowan Alert sent out to the campus community via email and text messages, university officials stated that essential employees should coordinate their schedules with their supervisors, while all other employees and students have been instructed not to visit Rowan campuses or facilities. Given the severity of the storm, all classes are cancelled, and non-essential employees are not required to work.
The university has also stressed limited expectations. On the main Glassboro campus, the Wellness Center will open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23 for those with urgent medical and mental health concerns. Routine existing appointments will be rescheduled due to the weather. The Wellness Center also urges those who have an emergency to call Rowan Police at 856-256-4911 and to visit the Inspira Urgent Care Center on Rowan Boulevard for all non-emergencies.
Meanwhile, the Student Recreation Center has adjusted its hours for both Sunday, Feb. 22, and Monday, Feb. 23. The Rec Center and Fitness Center on Victoria Street will close at 9 p.m. on Feb. 22 and re-open on Feb. 23 at 9 a.m., though the center’s pool will remain closed.
The Chamberlain Student Center will remain open for students living on-campus. The Chamberlain Student Center and the Student Center Expansion will operate as normal from Sunday, Feb. 22, to from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. and on Monday, Feb. 23, from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Guidance for virtual instruction at the Cooper Medical School, Virtua Health School of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine will be provided directly to their employees and students.
A follow-up Rowan Alert was also sent to the campus community, not long after the closure announcement had gone out, to announce the closures of parking lots. Due to the inclement weather, car owners parked in Lot T were asked to remove their vehicles and park in Lot J. Meanwhile, those stationed at Lot W were asked to park their cars in Lot B.
Through their Instagram page, Gourmet Dining at Rowan University posted an update announcing that the Holly Pointe cafeteria and Marketplace at the Student Center would close at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. In addition, a recommendation was given out to the community that guests should plan accordingly to the dangerous winter weather and consider ordering meals in advance so community members could remain indoors during the height of the blizzard.
Though both the Holly Pointe cafeteria and the Marketplace will be open on Monday, Feb. 23, for operation, they stressed that services would be modified pending the weather conditions. They encouraged members of the university community to monitor their website and social media for location and hours.
As residents in Glassboro and across South Jersey are preparing for the storm, Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a statewide state of emergency ahead of the system on Saturday, Feb. 21, and warned that the entire state of New Jersey is now under a blizzard warning for the first time in 30 years.
Forecasters say the storm could bring significant snowfall and strong winds, causing dangerous travel conditions throughout the state.
The emergency declaration allows state agencies to coordinate resources and respond quickly to storm-related issues as the system passes.
The statewide state of emergency is now in effect across all 21 New Jersey counties. Gov. Sherrill also announced that a commercial vehicle ban would take effect at 3 p.m. on Sunday on all state highways except the N.J. Turnpike, alongside a statewide speed restriction of 35 miles per hour. In addition, NJ Transit services will be suspended beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday across buses, light rail, and Access Link services.
“This could be the worst storm we’ve seen since 1996,” said Gov. Sherrill.
State officials also said the State Emergency Operation Center will be staffed around the clock, while the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is coordinating with utility providers and staging extra out-of-state crews to respond quickly to potential power outages.
“Please take this storm seriously,” said Gov. Sherill. “Stay off the roads, keep your phones and devices charged, check in on your neighbors, stay inside, and stay updated.”
According to the National Weather Service, the heaviest snowfall is forecasted for late Sunday evening into early Monday morning, a time that could significantly disrupt the Monday commute throughout the region.
Meteorologists say the storm could bring powerful wind gusts approaching 45 to 50 mph in the Glassboro area, along with heavy rain that may reduce visibility, making travel hazardous. The blowing snow conditions could also create near-whiteout visibility at times.
While Glassboro could see up to 14 to 20 inches of snowfall, some totals in South Jersey remain uncertain, but forecasters say communities like Glassboro are likely to see several inches of accumulation as the storm strengthens overnight.
Officials are urging residents to prepare for potential delays, hazardous driving conditions, and possible power outages caused by strong winds and heavy snow. State and local agencies are preparing road crews and emergency responders ahead of the storm, monitoring forecasts as conditions evolve.
For comments/questions about this story, DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email [email protected]
