New York turned white Tuesday morning as the “storm of the century” threatens to cause heavy damage, flooding and death.
Fear of the storm was enough for public officials to call on people to leave work early and stay off the highways.
Trains and buses were packed like sardine cans. The subway system, the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, and the George Washington Bridge were shut down at 11 p.m.
Major and secondary roads were declared off-limits from New Jersey to Massachusetts so that emergency vehicles will have access to plow away snowdrifts, which will be piled higher than usual because of gale-force winds that are accompanying the blizzard.
The forecast is for up to 30 inches of snow to cover New York, followed by freezing weather that will leave citizens snow-bound for up to a few days.
Emergencies have been declared from New Jersey to New England, and Boston also has suspended public and private transport.
Snowfall to the south, in Pennsylvania and Maryland, was less than predicted.
Hurricane-force winds of up to 75 MPH are forecast for New England, which will be buried even deeper than New York.
Following is the warning from New York:
Locations: New York City, and southern Westchester County in southeast New York.
Hazard types: Heavy snow and blowing snow, with blizzard conditions.
Accumulations: snow accumulation of 14 to 20 inches.
Snowfall rates, up to 2 inches per hour into this morning.
Winds: north 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
Visibilities: one quarter mile or less at times.
Temperatures: in the lower 20s.
Timing: heaviest snow and strongest winds into this morning.
Impacts: Life-threatening conditions….. Strong winds may down power lines and tree limbs.