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The New York Area Was Nearly Paralyzed by 6 Inches of Snow. What Went Wrong? The New York Area Was Nearly Paralyzed by 6 Inches of Snow. What Went Wrong?
(35 minutes later)
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Huge crowds of stranded commuters waited in the snow outside the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan in a line that stretched a full city block.Huge crowds of stranded commuters waited in the snow outside the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan in a line that stretched a full city block.
Buses were forced off the roads in New Jersey so children had to spend the night at school, sleeping on gym mats until their parents finally rescued them in the morning. Buses were forced off the roads in New Jersey, so children had to spend the night at school, sleeping on gym mats until their parents finally rescued them in the morning.
The upper level of the George Washington Bridge — one of the busiest bridges in the world — turned into a parking lot after an icy 20-vehicle crash, with drivers abandoning their cars.The upper level of the George Washington Bridge — one of the busiest bridges in the world — turned into a parking lot after an icy 20-vehicle crash, with drivers abandoning their cars.
The New York region was all but paralyzed by an early winter storm that led to recriminations and second-guessing on Friday about what exactly went wrong. Even some of the most grizzled commuters had never endured such a meltdown and vented their fury at those in charge of running the buses and trains and clearing the highways.The New York region was all but paralyzed by an early winter storm that led to recriminations and second-guessing on Friday about what exactly went wrong. Even some of the most grizzled commuters had never endured such a meltdown and vented their fury at those in charge of running the buses and trains and clearing the highways.
Leaders in New York and New Jersey said they were caught off guard by the ferocity of the storm after early forecasts predicted a light dusting. Mayor Bill de Blasio said he understood why people were frustrated and would review the city’s storm response.Leaders in New York and New Jersey said they were caught off guard by the ferocity of the storm after early forecasts predicted a light dusting. Mayor Bill de Blasio said he understood why people were frustrated and would review the city’s storm response.
”I’m not happy with the end result,” Mr. de Blasio said in an interview on NY1 on Friday morning. “It’s unacceptable.””I’m not happy with the end result,” Mr. de Blasio said in an interview on NY1 on Friday morning. “It’s unacceptable.”
[Read more stories of crowded public transit, downed trees and hours upon hours trapped in their cars.][Read more stories of crowded public transit, downed trees and hours upon hours trapped in their cars.]
The havoc that unfolded in the city and beyond highlighted the fragility of the region’s transportation network: An unexpected but not enormous storm brought the system to its knees, leading to countless tales of misery. In the last few years, the region’s aging infrastructure has become increasingly unreliable, from the subway to buses to commuters railroads and train and bus stations.The havoc that unfolded in the city and beyond highlighted the fragility of the region’s transportation network: An unexpected but not enormous storm brought the system to its knees, leading to countless tales of misery. In the last few years, the region’s aging infrastructure has become increasingly unreliable, from the subway to buses to commuters railroads and train and bus stations.
On Friday, much of the criticism was aimed at Mr. de Blasio and Philip D. Murphy, the governor of New Jersey. Mr. Murphy joined in the finger-pointing, blaming weather forecasts for underestimating the storm and officials at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for their handling of huge crowds at the bus terminal in Midtown Manhattan.On Friday, much of the criticism was aimed at Mr. de Blasio and Philip D. Murphy, the governor of New Jersey. Mr. Murphy joined in the finger-pointing, blaming weather forecasts for underestimating the storm and officials at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for their handling of huge crowds at the bus terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
“Yesterday gave forecasting a bad name,” Mr. Murphy said at a news conference, calling the predictions of the storm’s intensity “lousy.”“Yesterday gave forecasting a bad name,” Mr. Murphy said at a news conference, calling the predictions of the storm’s intensity “lousy.”
Mr. Murphy said that one person had died in an accident when a car got stuck on train tracks.Mr. Murphy said that one person had died in an accident when a car got stuck on train tracks.
Mr. de Blasio said a confluence of events — a “perfect storm” as he called it — had conspired to throw off the city’s snow-fighting efforts. The city’s Sanitation Department had performed miracles plowing roads in the past, but they did not have good access to the roads because they were clogged with vehicles.Mr. de Blasio said a confluence of events — a “perfect storm” as he called it — had conspired to throw off the city’s snow-fighting efforts. The city’s Sanitation Department had performed miracles plowing roads in the past, but they did not have good access to the roads because they were clogged with vehicles.
“They can’t levitate above the traffic,” the mayor said.“They can’t levitate above the traffic,” the mayor said.
At Central Park, 6.4 inches of snow were recorded — the biggest one-day November snowfall in 136 years. If the city had known how bad the storm would be, officials could have encouraged people to stay home, Mr. de Blasio said.At Central Park, 6.4 inches of snow were recorded — the biggest one-day November snowfall in 136 years. If the city had known how bad the storm would be, officials could have encouraged people to stay home, Mr. de Blasio said.
Instead, hordes of commuters were stranded as they left work on Thursday night. At the Port Authority Bus Terminal, only about 232 of the 1,429 scheduled buses arrived at the station to pick up passengers — an 84 percent drop, officials said.Instead, hordes of commuters were stranded as they left work on Thursday night. At the Port Authority Bus Terminal, only about 232 of the 1,429 scheduled buses arrived at the station to pick up passengers — an 84 percent drop, officials said.
The weather improved by Friday morning, but the region was still recovering from the mess that unfolded Thursday evening. There were problems on the subway and commuter railroads, but some of the worst incidents happened on the roads, where cars and buses were stuck in snarled traffic.The weather improved by Friday morning, but the region was still recovering from the mess that unfolded Thursday evening. There were problems on the subway and commuter railroads, but some of the worst incidents happened on the roads, where cars and buses were stuck in snarled traffic.
“Our buses were held hostage to massive gridlock citywide,” said Jon Weinstein, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city’s subways and buses. “Our bus operators and front-line employees fought through epic traffic and kept the subways moving — and we’re grateful for their dedication during a tremendously difficult commute.”“Our buses were held hostage to massive gridlock citywide,” said Jon Weinstein, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city’s subways and buses. “Our bus operators and front-line employees fought through epic traffic and kept the subways moving — and we’re grateful for their dedication during a tremendously difficult commute.”
On Friday, Kathryn Garcia, the city’s sanitation commissioner, acknowledged that “the commute last night was really pretty atrocious.” Yet Ms. Garcia defended the snow-clearing effort in an interview on Fox 5.On Friday, Kathryn Garcia, the city’s sanitation commissioner, acknowledged that “the commute last night was really pretty atrocious.” Yet Ms. Garcia defended the snow-clearing effort in an interview on Fox 5.
“We were definitely prepared,” she said. “We had all of our spreaders out. They were all pre-positioned ahead of the storm.”“We were definitely prepared,” she said. “We had all of our spreaders out. They were all pre-positioned ahead of the storm.”
Ms. Garcia said the department had started preparing on Tuesday morning, when the forecast was for light snow, by loading nearly 700 salt spreaders. The greatest challenge came in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, she said, where traffic from the George Washington Bridge snarled streets.Ms. Garcia said the department had started preparing on Tuesday morning, when the forecast was for light snow, by loading nearly 700 salt spreaders. The greatest challenge came in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, she said, where traffic from the George Washington Bridge snarled streets.
“In all honesty, I am not sure what we could have done if we had added a tremendous amount of additional pieces of equipment, if they would just have been stuck,” she said. “That has been what I have been thinking about literally all night long.”“In all honesty, I am not sure what we could have done if we had added a tremendous amount of additional pieces of equipment, if they would just have been stuck,” she said. “That has been what I have been thinking about literally all night long.”
On the George Washington Bridge, there were two major accidents because of conditions on the upper level that shutdown traffic in both directions, said Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. An accident in the eastbound lanes around 2:30 p.m. involved more than 20 vehicles. Another in the westbound lanes around 3:20 p.m. involved two tractor-trailers. It took a while to clear the crashes and all of the lanes did not reopen until 6:30 p.m. The lower levelOn the George Washington Bridge, there were two major accidents because of conditions on the upper level that shutdown traffic in both directions, said Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. An accident in the eastbound lanes around 2:30 p.m. involved more than 20 vehicles. Another in the westbound lanes around 3:20 p.m. involved two tractor-trailers. It took a while to clear the crashes and all of the lanes did not reopen until 6:30 p.m. The lower level
Mr. Cotton defended the agency’s handling of the storm, saying eight trucks started spreading salt on the bridge before 1 p.m. and crews removed the vehicles from the crash as quickly as possible.Mr. Cotton defended the agency’s handling of the storm, saying eight trucks started spreading salt on the bridge before 1 p.m. and crews removed the vehicles from the crash as quickly as possible.
In New York City, there were more than 22,800 calls to 911 from the afternoon to the evening — a 79 percent increase over the same period last year, said Terence A. Monahan, a top official with the New York Police Department. There were 1,915 calls regarding collisions — a 162 percent increase over that period last year, he said.In New York City, there were more than 22,800 calls to 911 from the afternoon to the evening — a 79 percent increase over the same period last year, said Terence A. Monahan, a top official with the New York Police Department. There were 1,915 calls regarding collisions — a 162 percent increase over that period last year, he said.
“I spent four hours driving in the Bronx myself and stopping at intersections, helping to push people out of intersections,” Mr. Monahan said.“I spent four hours driving in the Bronx myself and stopping at intersections, helping to push people out of intersections,” Mr. Monahan said.
In the suburbs, the story was at least as bad with major highways coming to a halt and side streets made impassable by icy conditions and countless accidents. The perilous road conditions crippled commuter bus service, causing the Port Authority, the busiest bus station in the country, to do something it almost never does — close several floors.In the suburbs, the story was at least as bad with major highways coming to a halt and side streets made impassable by icy conditions and countless accidents. The perilous road conditions crippled commuter bus service, causing the Port Authority, the busiest bus station in the country, to do something it almost never does — close several floors.
A Republican state lawmaker called for hearings in Trenton on the state’s response to the storm. Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco said that the resources deployed by the Department of Transportation “did not seem to make much of a difference” across the state.A Republican state lawmaker called for hearings in Trenton on the state’s response to the storm. Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco said that the resources deployed by the Department of Transportation “did not seem to make much of a difference” across the state.
“The state’s response was miserable, “ said Mr. Bucco, who represents Morris County. “I never saw a single plow.”“The state’s response was miserable, “ said Mr. Bucco, who represents Morris County. “I never saw a single plow.”
In New Jersey, a 61-year-old woman was killed on Thursday evening when a New Jersey Transit train struck her car near the Murray Hill station in New Providence, N.J., according to New Jersey Transit. The victim, Susan Brown of New Providence, was pronounced dead at Morristown Memorial Hospital.In New Jersey, a 61-year-old woman was killed on Thursday evening when a New Jersey Transit train struck her car near the Murray Hill station in New Providence, N.J., according to New Jersey Transit. The victim, Susan Brown of New Providence, was pronounced dead at Morristown Memorial Hospital.
There were widespread stories of people who were stranded — from drivers to school children. Across the region, students were trapped on school buses snarled in traffic for hours with no bathroom or food, according to parents and elected officials.There were widespread stories of people who were stranded — from drivers to school children. Across the region, students were trapped on school buses snarled in traffic for hours with no bathroom or food, according to parents and elected officials.
A bus carrying preschool students left a Harlem school for children with special needs around 2 p.m. on Thursday and still had five students on board around midnight as it crawled through the Bronx, according to City Councilman Ben Kallos, who helped a mother track down the bus. Police officers were dispatched to escort the bus as it finished dropping off children in the early morning hours.A bus carrying preschool students left a Harlem school for children with special needs around 2 p.m. on Thursday and still had five students on board around midnight as it crawled through the Bronx, according to City Councilman Ben Kallos, who helped a mother track down the bus. Police officers were dispatched to escort the bus as it finished dropping off children in the early morning hours.
Jennifer Reynoso’s three-year-old son was on the bus for 10 hours. She was so worried that she got in her car around 6 p.m. to search for the bus. Finally, she caught up to the bus at midnight.Jennifer Reynoso’s three-year-old son was on the bus for 10 hours. She was so worried that she got in her car around 6 p.m. to search for the bus. Finally, she caught up to the bus at midnight.
“It was horrible because I don’t know whether he was O.K.,” she said. “I didn’t know what was going on.”“It was horrible because I don’t know whether he was O.K.,” she said. “I didn’t know what was going on.”
Ms. Reynoso said her son was exhausted and upset. He had not eaten since noon and had been in the same diaper all day.Ms. Reynoso said her son was exhausted and upset. He had not eaten since noon and had been in the same diaper all day.
“Parents shouldn’t have to wonder where their children are,” said Mr. Kallos, who himself has a young daughter. “I could never imagine being in that situation.”“Parents shouldn’t have to wonder where their children are,” said Mr. Kallos, who himself has a young daughter. “I could never imagine being in that situation.”
In West Orange, N.J., about 80 students who were stranded for hours on school buses sought refuge in the Chit Chat Diner until about midnight, said Leo Novakidis, the manager who was on duty Thursday night.In West Orange, N.J., about 80 students who were stranded for hours on school buses sought refuge in the Chit Chat Diner until about midnight, said Leo Novakidis, the manager who was on duty Thursday night.
The children, who ranged in age from 5 years old to teenagers, lined up for the bathrooms, then devoured chicken fingers and french fries, Mr. Novakidis said.The children, who ranged in age from 5 years old to teenagers, lined up for the bathrooms, then devoured chicken fingers and french fries, Mr. Novakidis said.
“That stuff is fast to make and they were starving,” he said.“That stuff is fast to make and they were starving,” he said.
Some fell asleep in booths, Mr. Novakidis said, before school officials took them back to a school around midnight to spend the night.Some fell asleep in booths, Mr. Novakidis said, before school officials took them back to a school around midnight to spend the night.
Shahabuddeen A. Ally, the chairman of a community board that represents northern Manhattan, said he had never seen a traffic pileup as bad as the one on Thursday night as the neighborhoods were choked with traffic from the George Washington Bridge.Shahabuddeen A. Ally, the chairman of a community board that represents northern Manhattan, said he had never seen a traffic pileup as bad as the one on Thursday night as the neighborhoods were choked with traffic from the George Washington Bridge.
“It’s not like this was an earthquake that swallowed up half the city or a U.F.O. showed up,” Mr. Ally said. “This was snow and snow was predicted.”“It’s not like this was an earthquake that swallowed up half the city or a U.F.O. showed up,” Mr. Ally said. “This was snow and snow was predicted.”