International Desk: A citywide travel ban has been imposed in New York City as a strong snowstorm hits the northeastern United States. The city’s schools were also closed on Monday due to this natural disaster.
The AFP news agency reported this from New York.
From Washington to the northern state of Maine, millions of people have made preparations for the disaster.
Up to two feet or 60 centimeters of snow have been predicted in some areas.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said that light snowfall and ‘freezing fog’ were recorded in New York early Monday.
Temperatures dropped to 30 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 1 degree Celsius.
The agency warned that blizzard conditions will develop quickly from Maryland to southeastern New England. This will make travel ‘extremely dangerous’.
Snowfall rates of two to three inches per hour can fall during the storm’s peak. About 54 million residents are in its path.
The storm hit New York early Monday, reducing visibility to the point where the skyscrapers of Wall Street were barely visible from the neighboring borough of Brooklyn.
Heavy snowfall and gusty winds are expected to cause power outages. Tracking website Power Outage. UA reported that about 80,000 customers in New Jersey were without power as of 1:39 a.m. local time on Monday.
More than 5,000 flights had been canceled as of Monday morning, according to flight tracker FlightAware.
In New York, a city of more than 8 million people, Mayor Zohrab Mamdani said roads, highways and bridges would be closed from 9 p.m. Sunday until noon Monday.
He added, “New York City has not faced a storm like this in a decade.”
Explaining the state of emergency, he said, “We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all non-essential travel.”
However, the ban will not apply to emergency workers or those traveling for urgent needs.
Brandon Smith, 33, a resident of Brooklyn, complained that although the roads are closed, some workplaces have remained open.
He added, “It will be difficult for most New Yorkers to travel, because we also have to go to work. The roads are closed, but work is not stopping.”
On the other hand, tourists are happy to experience their first snowfall. Macarena Gonzalez, who came from Chile, said, “I knew it would snow, but I didn’t think it would be this much.”
While walking around Times Square on Sunday, she said, “I’m happy. It’s a great experience.”
-‘The worst is yet to come’-
The NWS warned that heavy snow, strong winds and low visibility could make travel “hazardous to impossible.”
Wind gusts of 60 mph (100 km/h) are expected from Sunday night into Monday.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu closed all public schools and municipal buildings on Monday.
“I urge everyone to plan ahead, stay safe and warm, and stay off the roads to assist with public safety efforts,” she said.
The NWS said coastal areas from Delaware to Cape Cod in Massachusetts could experience moderate to severe storm surge, potentially damaging roads and coastal properties.
The same region was reeling from another devastating winter storm just weeks ago, which killed more than 100 people.
“The worst is yet to come,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul told a news briefing in Rabbar.
“Stock up on essentials now, including groceries, medicine, and pet food,” she said.
Then she advised, “Stay home. Watch some of the Olympics, read a book, watch the news, call family members, call your mom.”
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