Snow has begun to fall as a massive blizzard heads for the northeast United States, which the National Weather Service predicted to be “a major winter storm” that will hit most of the region’s coastline, including the New York area.
By late Friday, New York, one of the world’s busiest air travel hubs, was cut off from the skies as snow and wind led airlines to suspend all operations at LaGuardia, Newark Liberty and John F Kennedy International airports.
“The five New York City airports are open, but airlines are operating on a greatly reduced schedule, with more than 2,300 flights cancelled as of mid-afternoon,” the office of Andrew Cuomo, New York governor, said.
“In the event that some travelers become stranded, airport personnel are preparing cots, blankets and other essentials to assist customers. All air travelers should check with their carriers regarding resumption of flights tomorrow.”
Al Jazeera’s Kristen Saloomey, reporting from New York, said cancellations have already begun as part of a strategy to o keep planes, crews and passengers away from snowed in airports.
“Airlines began cancelling flights before the first flake of snow had fallen”, our correspondent said.
“Due to potential power outages and transportation difficulties, New Yorkers are advised to stock up on potential supplies, including medicine.”
- Michael Bloomberg, New York mayor
Three northeastern states have declared a state of emergency, while driving restrictions were in place in Boston, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
In addition to the road and air snarl-ups, the rail service Amtrak said trains from New York northbound and also to the capital Washington DC, were being suspended.
The storm was forecast to bring the heaviest snow so far this winter along the New England coast, threatening power and transport links for tens of millions of people.
Schools in Boston and other towns and cities in New England and upstate New York were also ordered to close.
Residents had also already begun to stock up on food and supplies ahead of the storm poised to dump up to a metre of snow from New York City to Boston and beyond.
“This one doesn’t come along every day. This is going to be a dangerous winter storm,” said Alan Dunham, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Taunton, Massachusetts.
“Wherever you need to get to, get there by Friday afternoon and don’t plan on leaving.”
Biggest snow storm
Blizzard warnings were posted for parts of New Jersey and New York’s Long Island, as well as portions of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, including Hartford, New Haven, Connecticut, and Providence. The warnings extended into New Hampshire and Maine.
It was likely to be the biggest snow storm to hit the densely populated corridor so far this winter, and came a little over three months after Hurricane Sandy devastated the same area of New York City and New Jersey, killing 132 people and causing damage worth some $71.4bn.
The National Weather Service warned that “in addition to the heavy snowfall, wind gusts of up to hurricane force are possible, especially near the coast.
Michael Bloomberg, New York mayor, who came under withering criticism for the city’s flat-footed response to a blizzard in 2010, said residents should prepare for the worst.
“Due to potential power outages and transportation difficulties, New Yorkers are advised to stock up on potential supplies, including medicine,” Bloomberg said.
Authorities in New York and neighbouring New Jersey summoned extra personnel and readying snow removal equipment.
No comments:
Post a Comment