Today, New York City and the nearby Tri-State area are hunkering down, as a historic nor’easter in the city is set to be among the most severe in a decade wreaking havoc in the area with up to two feet of snow and hurricane-force wind gusts. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has issued a citywide State of Emergency, a rare and significant travel ban on all non-essential vehicles he says is crucial to protecting the public in "life-threatening" blizzard conditions.
City Under Siege: Travel Ban/Emergency Measures
The travel ban went into effect at 9:00 PM Sunday and will remain in place at least until 12:00 PM today. All roads, bridges and highways are closed for non-emergency traffic (motorized vehicles, trucks, scooters and e-bikes). Mayor Mamdani responded to the seriousness of the storm saying that nothing like this has occurred in the city since 2016. “We advise New Yorkers to not exceed their normal hours of business,” the Mayor said at a Sunday press conference.
“There’s about no visibility; the snow is landing so much that even our heavy plows are running aground.” The DSNY has deployed more than 700 salt spreaders and thousands of trucks running on plows. But snow is dropping at rates of 2 to 3 inches an hour, the peak of the storm, authorities said, so even well-tended roads remain treacherous. Regional transit is also on hold; NJ Transit has suspended bus and light rail services and canceled more than 3,000 flights at cities such as JFK, LaGuardia and Newark.
“A Classic Snow Day” for NYC Schools
In an effort to give students throughout the five boroughs a reason to cheer, Mayor Mamdani officially declared a “Classic Snow Day.” Unlike years past, when the city turned to remote learning during inclement weather, all public school buildings in New York City are closed, and virtual classes have been canceled. “Stay cozy,” the Mayor said on social media, urging children to take a day off from screens. Libraries, municipal buildings, and many private businesses are also doing the same, transforming a traditionally bustling metropolis into a ghost town of white.
Forecast and Safety Warnings
Blizzard warnings were issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) to more than 40 million people in the Northeast. Accumulation forecasts in New York City range from 17 to 24 inches, and some local areas may have accumulated as much as 28 inches. Heavy, wet snow with gusts exceeding 70 mph amid a “heavy, wet” snowstorm has increased fears of widespread power outages and downed trees. As the state works to engage FEMA to respond to the effects of the historic storm, Gov. Kathy Hochul has urged residents to “settle in” and check on vulnerable neighbors.
