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New York Schools Closed as Region Braces for Major Snowstorm | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An unyielding winter is about to dump yet another major snowfall on the New York region, with forecasters projecting significant accumulation just as the calendar ticks toward spring. | |
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday evening that all public schools in New York City would be closed on Wednesday. | |
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for northeastern New Jersey and southeastern New York, including all of New York City, estimating that snowfall will likely begin early Wednesday and that total accumulations of 12 to 16 inches are expected. | |
“Travel will be very difficult to impossible, including during the evening commute on Wednesday,” the service wrote. | “Travel will be very difficult to impossible, including during the evening commute on Wednesday,” the service wrote. |
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it would send information on its storm preparations later on Tuesday, but did not anticipate Tuesday evening’s commute to be affected. | |
New Jersey Transit announced that it would run a limited weekday rail schedule on Wednesday, and that it would be cross-honoring tickets across rail, bus, light rail and PATH services. Buses and light rail lines in New Jersey were expected to operate on regular schedules as long as conditions permit, though officials also indicated it was possible that all bus routes would be suspended for Wednesday evening’s commute. | |
The National Weather Service said “minor to moderate coastal flooding” was likely for vulnerable areas of Long Island and New Jersey, and it predicted rough surf along the shore. | |
Airlines have started canceling flights, with the most cancellations in and out of Philadelphia International Airport. Carriers including American Airlines, Delta and United have started to waive change fees for anyone scheduled to fly Tuesday or Wednesday. | |
The storm comes just as many in the region have finally dug out from two punishing early March nor’easters — the second one left two people dead and thousands of households in New Jersey and the suburbs north of New York City without power for days as utility companies came under scrutiny for their response. | |
Gov. Philip D. Murphy, a Democrat of New Jersey, speaking Tuesday at the train station in Madison, said he was closely monitoring the storm, and was considering declaring a state of emergency to begin around midnight should the forecasts hold fast. | |
“Our concerns have somewhat intensified,” said Mr. Murphy, adding that the snow accumulation was unlikely to begin until early Wednesday. | |
Addressing what he called the “the biggest shortfalls” of the last storm, Mr. Murphy said that one of the state’s much-maligned utility companies — Jersey Central Power and Light — had activated 800 workers to respond to the storm, and that all of the utility companies had activated their mutual aid agreements, meaning that they would share resources in response to outages. | |
“We’ve been in touch with them all day,” Mr. Murphy said of the utility companies, and noted that the state Board of Public Utilities was also “center stage” in planning for the storm. | “We’ve been in touch with them all day,” Mr. Murphy said of the utility companies, and noted that the state Board of Public Utilities was also “center stage” in planning for the storm. |
He noted that the storms potential for heavy snow, in addition to gusty winds, has the potential for more downed power lines, and urged caution to residents. | He noted that the storms potential for heavy snow, in addition to gusty winds, has the potential for more downed power lines, and urged caution to residents. |
“Please do not head out into the snow unless you absolutely have to,” he said. | “Please do not head out into the snow unless you absolutely have to,” he said. |