Travel ban in New York City, suburbs as storm takes aim

Cuomo today announced a travel ban on all local and state roads in New York City, the Long Island Expressway and the Northern State Parkway on Long Island, and the Port Authority’s trans-Hudson crossings, effective at 2:30 p.m. today.

Only authorized emergency vehicles, hazard vehicles and critical health care personnel are permitted to use the roads, officials said.

Transit officials have shut down the above-ground portions of the Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road and city subway systems.

Governor Cuomo also directed the state Emergency Operations Center to activate in New York City and Hauppauge to monitor the storm and coordinate resource deployment.

A travel ban was imposed on NY and its suburbs Saturday with authorities effectively shutting down America’s most populous city as a massive snow storm pummelling the eastern United States gathered pace.

In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a winter weather emergency, effective from 8 a.m. Saturday to midnight.

“This is a major storm, and travel conditions throughout downstate NY are risky”, Cuomo said in a statement.

About 14 inches of snow had fallen in parts of New York City by 1 p.m., including at Central Park, JFK and LaGuardia, the National Weather Service said.

In New York City, the snowfall expectation was up to 20 to 25 inches – which could make it one of the top 5 snowstorms ever recporded in the city.

Gov. Chris Christie urged New Jersey residents to stay home so crews can continue their efforts to clear the state’s roadways. Broadway shows were later canceled but many restaurants in Manhattan remained open.

“We will arrest them if needed”, De Blasio said about any drivers still on the road during the ban.

The MTA reported subway delays on the 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, and N, Q and R lines.