Flights Canceled, Travel Bans Enacted Ahead of Major Winter Storm
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ABC News(NEW YORK) — As a massive blizzard prepares to engulf the Northeast, some 3,134 flights have been canceled as the storm is expected to bring two feet or more of snow from New Jersey to Maine.
Follow the storm’s progress with the ABC Live Blog here.
An additional 4,281 flights have been cancelled for Tuesday and that number is expected to rise, according to FlightAware.com.
The greatest impacts from the storm, which began as a clipper system that brought snow and slick roads to the Midwest on Sunday, are expected Monday evening through Tuesday.
President Obama was briefed on the storm, and White House officials have been in touch with state and local officials on the eastern seaboard, according to White House Spokesman Josh Earnest.
FEMA also has assets in the region ready to assist, Earnest said.
Local leaders in the New York area were warning residents to stay off the roads and planned to shut down or curtail mass transit systems as the storm intensifies.
In Connecticut, Gov. Dannel Malloy issued a travel ban for the entire state effective at 9 p.m. this evening.
“We encourage citizens to stay in place during the duration of the storm,” Malloy said.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and N.J. Gov. Chris Christie announced at separate briefings that the New York subway, the Long Island Rail Road, Metro North and New Jersey Transit would all be reducing service dramatically leading up to total closures for the subway, LIRR and Metro North at 11 p.m. and for NJ Transit at 10 p.m. Subway and PATH train service were to be curtailed. The MTA said that Monday night was the first time snow has shut down the entire subway system.
Cuomo also said that all non-emergency vehicles would be banned from local, county and state roads in 13 counties including both counties of Long Island beginning at 11 p.m. The Port Authority has also announced that all bridges and tunnels would be closed as of 11 p.m. Monday.
“This is a serious situation,” Cuomo said. “If you violate this state order, it’s a possible misdemeanor. It’s fines up to $300.”
New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio told residents not to underestimate the storm.
“Prepare for something worse than we have seen before. Prepare to be safe. Take every precaution,” he said. “Now is the time to get ready for this extreme weather.”
All vehicles will be barred from New York City roads starting at 11 p.m., as part of an order that will stand until further notice, de Blasio said.
Ahead of the winter storm, New York City residents raced to stock up on food essentials.
De Blasio said crews were readying to keep streets clear, as officials prepare for what could be “one of the top two or three largest storms in the history of this city.” He also warned that the storm “will hit very hard and very fast and people cannot be caught off guard.”
New York City Public Schools will also be closed Tuesday to more than one million students.
Also on Monday night, Amtrak announced the cancellation of its service between New York and Boston for Tuesday. Service south of New York City will also be reduced, Amtrak said.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency was also preparing for the storm.
“All of the things that come into play during these events, we want to make sure there are no surprises and everybody is on the same page,” said MEMA spokesman Peter Judge.
Boston Public Schools are slated to be closed both Tuesday and Wednesday due to the storm.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency and implemented a statewide travel ban beginning at midnight.
“Driving will be virtually impossible for extended periods of time starting late tonight,” Baker said. “Please stay off the roads. Everyone should expect impassible roads starting at midnight tonight.”
In Boston, which was expected to get two feet of snow, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced that it will run until about midnight and will be closed Tuesday
In all, seven states — Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island — have declared states of emergency.
The highest snowfall amounts are currently expected between just east of New York City and Boston, where up to two feet of snow is expected.
New York City can expect 12-18 inches of snow, with cities southwest on I-95, like Philadelphia seeing 6-12 inches.
Winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories are in effect from the mid-Atlantic through New England, with blizzard watches posted for cities closer to the coast, including New York City and Boston, where blizzard conditions are expected during the height of the storm.
In anticipation of the dangerous winter weather, several major U.S. airlines have issued travel advisories, including Jet Blue, US Airways, American, Southwest and Delta.
Many airlines are also waiving their flight change and cancellation fees for any flights that are scheduled to arrive in cities expected to be affected by the storm this evening and Tuesday.
Travelers can check with their specific airline for how to change or cancel their flight and get the latest updates on any travel advisories.
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