New York mayor orders citywide travel ban before major storm

New York – (Web Desk) –

Snow-covered streets in New York as officials urge residents to stay home before powerful winter storm.

Zohran Mamdani on Sunday announced a complete shutdown of New York City’s traffic system, allowing only emergency movement, as a powerful snowstorm moves toward the northeastern United States.

Millions of people, from Washington to the state of Maine, are preparing for severe weather, with snowfall expected to reach up to two feet in some places.

The National Weather Service warned that dangerous blizzard conditions could rapidly develop from Maryland to parts of New England, making travel very risky.

Forecasters added that snowfall could intensify to two or three inches per hour at its peak, affecting nearly 54 million people along its path.

Power outages are likely due to heavy snow and strong wind gusts, forecasters said.

In New York, which has more than eight million people, Mamdani said streets, highways and bridges would be shut down from 9:00 pm Sunday (0200 GMT) until noon Monday.

“New York City has not faced a storm of this scale in the last decade,” he said, explaining the state of emergency.

“We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all non-essential travel.”

The ban will not affect essential workers or New Yorkers needing to travel due to emergencies, according to Mamdani.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency beginning midday Sunday, freeing up funds and allowing the swift deployment of resources to address the weather crisis.

In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu closed all public schools and municipal buildings on Monday.

“We ask everyone to plan ahead, stay safe and warm, and stay off the roads to help our public works and public safety efforts,” Wu said.

The National Weather Service said “moderate to major” coastal flooding affecting waterfront roads and properties was possible from Delaware up to Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

The storm comes just weeks after the region recovered from another devastating weather system that was linked to more than 100 deaths.

“The worst is yet to come,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul told a press briefing Sunday.

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“Whatever you need — any groceries, any medicines you need to be refilled at the pharmacy, any pet food you need to have — do it right now.”

Then, she advised, “just settle in.”

“Watch some more Olympics, read a book, catch up on the news, call your family members, call your moms — especially your moms.”