Nyc Travel Ban Enforced as Historic Blizzard Slams the US North-East
A nyc travel ban is in effect as an historic nor'easter lashes the US north-east, grounding thousands of flights and leaving more than 150, 000 people without power. The storm has placed tens of millions under warnings and is expected to bring heavy snow, fierce winds and coastal flooding through Monday.
Nyc Travel Ban shutters streets, schools and bridges overnight
The full travel ban in New York City runs from 9: 00 p. m. ET (21: 00 local time; 02: 00 GMT) on Sunday to 12: 00 p. m. ET (12: 00 local time; 17: 00 GMT) on Monday. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said schools would be closed and that all streets, highways and bridges would be shut to traffic except for emergencies, and he warned the most severe snowfall was expected overnight into Monday with up to 28 inches (70cm) anticipated in certain areas.
Snow totals, wind gusts and power outages across the north-east
As of midnight local time (05: 00 GMT) on Monday, much of the north-east had been blanketed in several inches of snow, with 10 inches (25cm) reported in Manorville, New York and in Howell, New Jersey. The US National Weather Service warned snowfall could reach 1–2 feet (30–60cm) in places and that rates of 2–3 inches (5–7cm) per hour were possible. Temperatures are expected to fall to about 20F (-6C) in New York City, and the highest wind gusts along the coast could reach 65–70mph (104–112km/h), raising the risk of downed tree limbs and power outages.
Flights canceled and travel restrictions spread beyond New York City
Thousands of flights were disrupted, with about 5, 500 US flights cancelled on Sunday and hundreds more delayed. Snow began falling Sunday evening in Boston, Philadelphia and New York, and several states declared states of emergency and instituted travel restrictions or bans. In total, 59 million people were placed under weather warnings, with roughly 40 million people under blizzard warnings and another 19 million under winter storm warnings extending from the Central Appalachians to coastal Maine.
State of emergency declarations and National Guard on alert
States of emergency were declared in multiple states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Power cuts have affected more than 150, 000 people in the north-eastern states so far, including 60, 000 in New Jersey alone, with tens of thousands more without power in Virginia, Delaware and Maryland. New York's governor declared a state of emergency for the whole state and put 100 members of the National Guard on ready alert.
Officials warn of rare, wide-reaching storm
Cody Snell, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center, said it has been several years since a storm of this magnitude swept across so large and so populated a region. This is New York City's first blizzard warning in nine years; forecasters expect 18–24 inches (50–60cm) of snow for the city overall. The mayor noted this is the second major snowstorm of his administration after 19 people died during a three-week cold snap in January.
One statewide statement by the governor included the line "This will be something the likes of which we've not seen in years, " followed by a sentence that cuts off in the provided context and is unclear in the provided context.
Coverage of the event also ran a headline noting that a blizzard grips New Jersey with heavy snow and strong winds, and included the phrase "Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. "
Forecasters say much of the US north-east and the maritimes provinces will be affected from Sunday evening to Monday; the travel ban in New York City is set to remain in place until 12: 00 p. m. ET on Monday, when officials have said restrictions will be reassessed.
