Politics
NEW: Dem Governor Bails On State As Massive Storm Prompts Emergency Declaration
Term-limited Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, was not in New Jersey when a state of emergency was declared ahead of a powerful storm that is currently battering the East Coast. Instead, the frequently traveling governor was vacationing in Europe with his wife, leaving Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way to deal with emergency management.
“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,” Way announced in a statement Saturday.
Murphy, who has garnered a reputation for taking extravagant vacations, made no public announcement about his travel plans as a powerful nor’easter barreled towards the state. Instead, Murphy’s office sent his public schedule in an October 8 email to reporters announcing he would be traveling to Europe with his wife, Tammy, on October 9, and would not be returning to the state until October 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 New York Post.
Jones did not say whether Murphy had any plans to cut his trip short in order to deal with the storm.
Millburn, New Jersey, USA – September 3, 2021: Governor Phil Murphy along with NJ rep Tom Malinowski and mayor Tara Prupis talk with local store owners who sustained loss after IDA.
Way currently serves as New Jersey Secretary of State and was sworn in as lieutenant governor after in September 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.
As of Monday, October 13, thousands of New Jersey residents have been left without power as the storm batters large swaths of the state.
More than 4,000 New Jerseyans in the northern and central areas of the state had no power as of Monday morning, according to JCP&L. The weather also caused dozens of outages in South Jersey, according to Atlantic City Electric. Even more residents were left without power on Sunday.
Roads in shore towns and barrier island communities have experienced widespread flooding, which is likely to worsen, forecasters have warned. Moderate to major coastal flooding is “very likely” along the coast and Delaware Bay on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Major Jersey Shore roadways like Black Horse Pike and White Horse Pike experienced closures Sunday, with additional closures expected with high tide on Monday. Flooding is ongoing on the Atlantic City Expressway in Egg Harbor Township and on Avenel Boulevard in Long Branch as of Monday morning, according to 511NJ.
“Regardless of what level the tides hit, an impactful event is expected to continue for multiple high tide cycles,” the National Weather Service said. A Coastal Flood Warning remains in place through Monday evening along the entire Atlantic coast.
Significant coastal flooding is inundating Avalon Bay, New Jersey, as a nor'easter batters the coast. Here's a live look at conditions: pic.twitter.com/JmPRWLNeb9
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 12, 2025
