Gov. Phil Murphy gets slammed on Twitter for handling of snowstorm

NorthJersey.com Digital Desk | NorthJersey

Show Caption Hide Caption Reading angry tweets to Phil Murphy for handling of NJ snowstorm NorthJersey.com assignment editor Matt McGrath reads some of the angry tweets sent to Phil Murphy during Thursday’s snowstorm.

As the state was in the midst of its first snowstorm of the season Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy took to social media to assure everyone that roadways were being plowed.

Gripped in nor'easter gridlock? Tell us about it

Our first winter storm of the year is here. Stay updated at https://t.co/WkEYkiuUhN. @NJDOT_Info and local roads crews are working to clear roadways. Check https://t.co/8u09EBAR1n for traffic updates on your particular route. pic.twitter.com/ptQYBPpxD6 — Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 15, 2018

Among the critics were former Gov. Chris Christie who said it took him five hours and 40 minutes to drive from Piscataway to Mendham. He used the hashtag "#snowmess" while retweeting his successor's update on the storm.

It took me 5 hours and 40 minutes to travel from Piscataway to Mendham. #snowmess https://t.co/7jhstTjfgX — Governor Christie (@GovChristie) November 16, 2018

Murphy said officials had to "turn on a dime" from an inaccurate forecast.

EXCUSES, EXCUSES: NJ commuters wanted snow plows, Phil Murphy gave them excuses and a lame video

"This is also the first storm of the year, mid-November, so you’re going through the reps for the first time that you've had to since nine months ago," Murphy said. "And folks are out there aggressively doing the best they can.

"Again, I don’t blame folks for being, you know, sitting there in a parking lot, being frustrated. But again, patience. Mother Nature has thrown us a real tough one tonight and we’re going to clear the roads out.”

People were still frustrated to say the least. See some of the responses here:

I miss @ChrisChristie and his storm press conferences. Listening to @PhilMurphyNJ is like listening to Todd Bowels after a Jets loss. #GetMad — Frank Lombardy (@FLombardy) November 16, 2018

Going to miss the packer game because of this traffic. @PhilMurphyNJ you are officially my arch nemesis — augie mustardo (@Augiemustardo33) November 16, 2018

@PhilMurphyNJ please tell me why I have been stuck in my car for 5 hours when my kids are stuck at daycare. No one is moving and no one know anything. — Matt Bishop (@BISHPHAT) November 16, 2018

@PhilMurphyNJ State of emergency?? I’ve been stranded by my (closed) school since 3pm. Many of my colleagues are still stranded as well. North jersey is in gridlock with major highways closed. Students had to walk home in this. — Jamie Jones (@Jjonesbio) November 16, 2018

More storm news

Ice still to come: Here's what we know about Thursday's storm

Evening commute a disaster: Port Authority Bus Terminal slammed with overcrowding

More than expected: How much snow did North Jersey get Thursday?