Nyc Travel Ban: nyc travel ban considered as 'near impossible' storm snarls New York
State officials warned of "near impossible" travel conditions in New York today as a major storm hit the US east coast, prompting discussion of a possible nyc travel ban. A state agency issued the warning while winter storm alerts and emergency declarations spread along the coastline.
Nyc Travel Ban and warnings
Winter storm warnings stretch from North Carolina to northern Maine, with warnings also in place in parts of eastern Canada. Millions across the US north-east remain under a state of emergency after a severe winter storm brought nearly two feet of snow in some places, along with high winds and cold temperatures. It is the first time in nine years that New York City has been under a blizzard warning.
Snow totals and records
Parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts have seen as much as 33 inches (83cm) of snowfall. Providence, Rhode Island, received 33in (83cm) of snow, smashing the existing record for the single greatest snowstorm, 28. 6in (72. 6cm), which was set in February 1978. New York's Central Park recorded almost 20in (51cm) of snow, the National Weather Center says; the National Weather Service also reports over 19 inches in Central Park.
Flights, power and outages
More than 5, 600 flights into and out of the US have been cancelled. A separate update noted more than 5, 000 flights cancelled as the US east coast digs out of record snow. Over 600, 000 homes and businesses are without power, with New Jersey and Massachusetts the worst hit.
City scenes and reactions
In New York City the snow is shin-deep and trees have fallen across streets, Brandon Livesay reports. Time-lapse footage shows the Empire State Building engulfed by snow overnight. Berliner Peggy Ferber woke up early to visit Times Square in the snow. New Yorkers are no strangers to snow, but resident Mickey Blank says it "doesn't happen too often in the city that the road is covered and you have to go through mountains of snow. " Speaking to a news agency, she described today's conditions as "a very unique experience. "
Live coverage ending
We are ending out live coverage for today, but the storm's impact remains. The snow has started to taper off, but with so much on the ground it could take several days for life to return to normal on the East Coast. US reporters have been battling extreme conditions to capture scenes across the region. Parts of Canada's Atlantic Coast have also been affected.
Officials and agencies continue to urge caution on roads and at airports as crews work to restore power and clear record snowfall.
