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State of emergency across north-east US as schools and transit close | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Governors have declared states of emergency across the US north-east as the region braces for a “crippling and potentially historic” blizzard, ordering travel bans and reductions of public transit as officials urged commuters to leave work early to avoid high winds and low visibility. | Governors have declared states of emergency across the US north-east as the region braces for a “crippling and potentially historic” blizzard, ordering travel bans and reductions of public transit as officials urged commuters to leave work early to avoid high winds and low visibility. |
The National Weather Service said the storm is forecast to hit late on Monday afternoon, with conditions worsening overnight into Tuesday morning. The storm is expected to linger into Wednesday. | The National Weather Service said the storm is forecast to hit late on Monday afternoon, with conditions worsening overnight into Tuesday morning. The storm is expected to linger into Wednesday. |
Related: State of emergency declared in New York and New Jersey as blizzard approaches - live | Related: State of emergency declared in New York and New Jersey as blizzard approaches - live |
During a flurry of noon press conferences, the governors of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island said they were bracing for the worst and ordered states of emergency. The move allows the governors to immediately mobilize emergency crews and resources. | During a flurry of noon press conferences, the governors of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island said they were bracing for the worst and ordered states of emergency. The move allows the governors to immediately mobilize emergency crews and resources. |
Thousands of flights have been pre-emptively cancelled out of New York, Philadelphia and Boston in anticipation of the storm forecast to drop as much as 20-30in of snow around the region. | Thousands of flights have been pre-emptively cancelled out of New York, Philadelphia and Boston in anticipation of the storm forecast to drop as much as 20-30in of snow around the region. |
In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the downstate counties throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island. | In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the downstate counties throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island. |
Public transit in New York City is scheduled to go offline Monday evening. The NYC subway will begin to run on a limited schedule after 7pm, Governor Cuomo said, urging residents to leave work early to avoid an evening rush. All non-essential state employees in counties under the state of emergency have been directed to leave work at 3pm. | Public transit in New York City is scheduled to go offline Monday evening. The NYC subway will begin to run on a limited schedule after 7pm, Governor Cuomo said, urging residents to leave work early to avoid an evening rush. All non-essential state employees in counties under the state of emergency have been directed to leave work at 3pm. |
Related: The online resources you'll need to make it through this winter storm | Related: The online resources you'll need to make it through this winter storm |
“With forecasts showing a potentially historic blizzard for Long Island, New York City, and parts of the Hudson Valley, we are preparing for the worst and I urge all New Yorkers to do the same – take this storm seriously and put safety first,” Cuomo said. “If leaving work early is an option, I urge residents in downstate communities to do so and stay off roads and our public transit networks as we brace for the storm’s impact.” | “With forecasts showing a potentially historic blizzard for Long Island, New York City, and parts of the Hudson Valley, we are preparing for the worst and I urge all New Yorkers to do the same – take this storm seriously and put safety first,” Cuomo said. “If leaving work early is an option, I urge residents in downstate communities to do so and stay off roads and our public transit networks as we brace for the storm’s impact.” |
The governor said the climate has changed, which is causing this extreme weather. | The governor said the climate has changed, which is causing this extreme weather. |
“There is a pattern of extreme weather that we’ve never seen before,” Cuomo said during the press conference. He added: “Anyone who says there’s not a dramatic change in weather patterns is probably denying reality.” | “There is a pattern of extreme weather that we’ve never seen before,” Cuomo said during the press conference. He added: “Anyone who says there’s not a dramatic change in weather patterns is probably denying reality.” |
As the governor wrapped up, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency in New York City. | As the governor wrapped up, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency in New York City. |
“You can’t underestimate this storm. It’s not a typical storm it’s going to pack a real punch,” said De Blasio. “What you’re going to see in a few hours is something that hits very hard and very fast, and people cannot be caught off guard.” | “You can’t underestimate this storm. It’s not a typical storm it’s going to pack a real punch,” said De Blasio. “What you’re going to see in a few hours is something that hits very hard and very fast, and people cannot be caught off guard.” |
The mayor announced a citywide travel ban after 11pm. He also announced that schools will be closed on Tuesday, and all after-school activities and programs have been cancelled for Monday as well. | The mayor announced a citywide travel ban after 11pm. He also announced that schools will be closed on Tuesday, and all after-school activities and programs have been cancelled for Monday as well. |
De Blasio said there are nearly 500 salt spreaders, and more than 1,800 snowploughs have been deployed. In total, over 2,300 vehicles with ploughing capacity – with an additional 250 vehicles from other agencies – are ready to be deployed. | De Blasio said there are nearly 500 salt spreaders, and more than 1,800 snowploughs have been deployed. In total, over 2,300 vehicles with ploughing capacity – with an additional 250 vehicles from other agencies – are ready to be deployed. |
During the press conference, De Blasio said officials from the department of homeless services are searching for residents who are currently on the streets without shelter. The annual count of the city’s homeless population was due to take place on Monday night but has been postponed because of the storm. | During the press conference, De Blasio said officials from the department of homeless services are searching for residents who are currently on the streets without shelter. The annual count of the city’s homeless population was due to take place on Monday night but has been postponed because of the storm. |
He also issued a stern reminder that price gouging during an emergency is illegal, urging any resident who feels theyhave fallen victim to report it to the city. | He also issued a stern reminder that price gouging during an emergency is illegal, urging any resident who feels theyhave fallen victim to report it to the city. |
In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie said he expects transit to shut down around 10pm, and urged drivers to take care on the road. | In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie said he expects transit to shut down around 10pm, and urged drivers to take care on the road. |
“If you don’t have to drive, please remain home,” he said. He added: “I don’t expect we’ll have transit tomorrow.” | “If you don’t have to drive, please remain home,” he said. He added: “I don’t expect we’ll have transit tomorrow.” |
In Massachusetts, which is expected to be hit the hardest, the blizzard has delayed jury selection in the federal death penalty trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the judge said. | In Massachusetts, which is expected to be hit the hardest, the blizzard has delayed jury selection in the federal death penalty trial of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the judge said. |
Boston has cancelled school on Tuesday, and a state-wide travel ban will go into effect at midnight. | Boston has cancelled school on Tuesday, and a state-wide travel ban will go into effect at midnight. |
In Connecticut, the governor announced that all of the state’s transit services will stop at 8pm, and announced a travel ban beginning at 9pm. | In Connecticut, the governor announced that all of the state’s transit services will stop at 8pm, and announced a travel ban beginning at 9pm. |
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