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NJ Governor AWOL, Whereabouts Unknown as State of Emergency Declared

Emergency declarations are starting to ripple across the Northeastern seaboard as a strong Nor’easter continues it’s drive northward.

The FAA, already suffering under the strains of inadequate air traffic control workers, is now finding it completely impossible to keep flights coming and going on time as conditions worsen.

On top of all that — New Jersey’s Democratic Governor is no where to be found!

The NJ Lieutenant Governor is being forced to stand in his stead as the state’s emergency personnel activate procedures in preparation for the approaching storm.

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The Weather Channel is forecasting the potential for somewhere between 1-3 feet of ‘inundation’… a fancy word for FLOOD WATERS… across the region:

The storm beat against the coastal regions of North Carolina over the weekend, destroying several coastal houses and leaving piles of debri.

By this morning serious flooding was starting to develop in Myrtle Beach, NC as shared by a local NBC affiliated meteorologist:

As stated, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy apparently had somewhere else to be, or something more important to attend to…

As he hasn’t been heard from publicly since the dangerous storm appeared on the horizon:

The Lt. Gov’s social media post announcing her emergency declaration drew confusion from some as Murphy’s AWOL status continues, as reported by the New York Post:

Outgoing NJ Gov. Phil Murphy was not in New Jersey when a state of emergency was declared Saturday night, leaving Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way — now serving as acting governor — to make the declaration in his stead.

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“In preparation for this storm, I am issuing a State of Emergency for all 21 counties out of an abundance of caution, authorizing our state’s emergency services personnel to activate as necessary,” Acting Governor Way announced in a statement Saturday.

The term-limited Democrat, who is known for taking frequent vacations, often to his luxe Italian villa, made no public announcement he would be out of the state as the powerful nor’easter is expected to barrel through, with the potential to cause significant storm damage.

Her [Way’s] social media post announcing the state of emergency declaration were met by puzzled responses, with some wondering where Murphy was.

“Where is the governor?” one commenter inquired.

“Who are you?” asked another.

It’s a sad state of affairs when the Governor is holed up in his Italian villa while his state braces for a potentially dangerous situation.

Yes — you read that right.

The RUMOR, at least, is that Gov. Murphy is lounging around his ITALIAN VILLA while his state initiates emergency procedures.

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A little digging brought up a separate story from the NYP which reported that the Governor had left the states on the 9th, headed for “Europe”.

The man may take more vacations than Biden from what I gathered from that report, also from the New York Post:

Murphy’s office sent his public schedule in an Oct. 8 email to reporters announcing he would be traveling to Europe with his wife, Tammy on Oct. 9 and return to New Jersey on Oct. 14.

“Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy are out of state this weekend to attend a close family friend’s wedding in Europe. The Governor has been in close communication with his team and emergency response officials regarding the nor’easter storm impacting the East Coast,” Murphy spokesman Tyler Jones told The Post early Sunday evening.

Jones did not say whether Murphy planned to cut his trip short in light of the storm, however.

Way serves as NJ’s secretary of state and was sworn in as Lt. Gov. in Sept. 2023 after the death of her predecessor, Sheila Oliver, who was serving as acting governor at the time of her death while Murphy was again out of the country on vacation.

Murphy’s jet-setting ways have left him open to criticism in the past.

I wouldn’t particularly vouch for the Governor of New York.

And maybe this isn’t necessarily a GOOD thing, considering her knack for making things worse…

But at least she’s IN HER STATE while the storm is approaching, and handled the Emergency Declaration for NYC and other areas within her jurisdiction personally:

Areas of New York started having issues with the power grid within the last few hours, according to this report from CBS News:

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A state of emergency has been declared for New York City, Long Island and Westchester County due to expected damage from the nor’easter that’s set to impact the region Sunday and Monday.

The National Weather Service has issued Coastal Flood Warnings for Long Island, New York City and Westchester County through 8 p.m. Monday, along with a High Wind Warning for much of Suffolk County through 6 p.m. Monday. A Wind Advisory is also in place for the rest of Long Island, plus New York City and southern Westchester County.

According to the governor’s office, over 7,000 utility workers are available across the state in anticipation of power outages, and crews are prepared to work overnight if necessary.

Local services began reporting outages early Sunday evening.

And with conditions quickly worsening, the FAA’s problems keeping planes taking off and landing as scheduled is now trickling down to other airports.

But the primary air hubs being effected are those along the coastal path of the storm, as shared by the Fox affiliate out of Washington DC earlier this morning:

Those delay times are now frequently reaching the two hour mark as we get into Sunday evening, as being reported, again, by the New York Post:

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued ground delays at several airports due to the nor’easter, with average delays inching toward two hours in some locations.

As of 12:35 p.m. Sunday, passengers at Boston Logan International Airport are being told to expect an average delay of 86 minutes due to low ceilings, and 80 minutes for those traveling through Newark Liberty International Airport.

LaGuardia Airport travelers are looking at delays of around 106 minutes, with JFK Airport not faring much better at average delays of 102 minutes.

Philadelphia International Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC were experiencing the shortest delays so far, with 32 minutes and 26 minutes, respectively.

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The massive nor’easter, which started to pick up steam on Sunday morning, is expected to bring significant coastal flooding and powerful winds with gusts up to 60 miles per hour from Charleston to New England.

The National Weather Service updated it’s forecast for the coastal areas a few hours ago.

Currently, warnings include MAJOR coastal flooding as well as dangerous rip currents and high surf.

The NWS is also expecting wind gusts upwards of 55 MPH, which will likely lead to downed trees and damage to the electrical grid:

To all those in the way of this storm — keep your head, and prepare accordingly!

It’s not worth losing your life or getting hurt because of stubbornness or pride.

Don’t wait too long to leave if you should leave, and don’t be too prideful to ask for help if you need it!

As for Gov. Murphy… I don’t have any confirmation that he’s holed up in the same villa he ran off to during Covid:

After all — he also owns mansions in Berlin, etc.

So when his people say he’s headed to Europe on one of his MANY vacations while emergency declarations drop…

Who knows which luxurious mansion he might be staying in on any given night of his CURRENT vacation abroad?

But I’m sure his thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with everyone back in New Jersey.

And if you’re wondering where on earth I came up with that wild image of Gov. Murphy to go with my headline…

Here’s Phil Murphy in 2017 leaping across the stage following his election victory to become Governor:

He doesn’t exactly seem like the kind of guy who puts OTHERS first.

Say for instance… the citizens of the state he supposedly ‘governs’.

But if you’re one of those who has suffered under his terrible leadership through Covid and so many other trials…

I’m sure you know that by now far better than I do.


 

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