A powerful blizzard swept across the US Northeast on Monday, dumping more than a foot of snow (30 centimeters) in some areas and bringing travel to a near standstill for millions of residents
A powerful blizzard swept across the US Northeast on Monday, dumping more than a foot of snow (30 centimeters) in some areas and bringing travel to a near standstill for millions of residents.
According to a Reuters report, the storm forced road closures, suspended train services, and led to the cancellation of over 5,700 flights.
Thousands of homes and businesses lost power as officials urged residents to stay off the roads.
“I’m urging every New Yorker to please stay home,” Reuters quoted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as telling citizens.
Many schools across the region also closed due to the severe conditions.
More than 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow had accumulated in Central Park by 8 am, with an additional 5 to 6 inches (13-15 centimeters) expected before the storm eases later in the day, Bob Oravec, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, told Reuters.
“It’s a pretty big storm and it’s definitely a blizzard,” he was quoted as saying, noting wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph from Delaware to Boston.
“It’ll probably take a week to dig out,” he added.
Boston reported about 6 inches so far, while parts of Delaware and Southern New England received 12 to 18 inches.
Philadelphia also recorded around a foot of snow.
The storm is expected to taper off in New York City by Monday afternoon, but snowfall will continue in Boston and upper New England through Monday night.
High winds mean the storm meets blizzard criteria, with gusts above 35 mph sustained for three hours or more. Stony Brook Village on Eastern Long Island and Nantucket Island recorded gusts topping 60 mph.
Regional disruptions
Airlines canceled more than 5,700 flights by Monday morning and delayed another 900, according to FlightAware.com. Over 1,600 flights scheduled for Tuesday had already been canceled. Major airports affected include New York’s JFK and LaGuardia, Boston Logan, and Newark Liberty International Airport.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul activated 100 National Guard members to assist in Long Island, New York City, and the Lower Hudson Valley. The storm also forced the closure of the UN headquarters in Manhattan.
Parts of the Northeast could see up to two feet of snow, with wind gusts reaching 70 mph, raising risks of falling trees and power outages, the Department of Homeland Security said. Despite a partial government shutdown, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues disaster-response operations, prioritizing life safety and property protection.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency, instructing state workers to stay home. Connecticut barred commercial vehicles from limited-access highways, except for emergency and essential deliveries.
Public transit was severely disrupted, with New Jersey train and bus lines halted and Rhode Island’s transit authority suspending all service until conditions improve.
With inputs from agencies
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