New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani orders citywide shutdown as snowstorm hits

"The city's entire traffic network has been shut down except for emergency travel as a severe snowstorm hits northeast US. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has declared a state of emergency, ordering the shutdown of the city's entire traffic network for all but emergency travel as a severe snowstorm hits the northeast United States. NYC, we've declared a local state of emergency ahead of this blizzard. Stay safe, New York, he posted on X late on Sunday."

"The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that a severe winter storm would bring heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding from the coastal mid-Atlantic to Maine through Monday. Snowfall rates of up to 3 inches (7.6cm) per hour will occur at times, with snowfall totals as high as 12 to 24 inches (30.5-61cm), resulting in nearly impossible travel conditions, the NWS said. Gusts of up to 60mph (100km/h) were likely late Sunday and into Monday, it added."

"Power outages are also anticipated due to strong winds combined with the weight of heavy, wet snow, it added. As of 7:30pm on Sunday (00:30 GMT on Monday), at least 22,895 customers were without power in the state of New Jersey, according to tracking website poweroutage.us. Blizzard warnings have been issued by the weather service in New York state's NYC and Long Island; Boston, Massachusetts; as well as coastal communities in New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Rhode Island."

A severe winter storm is affecting the northeastern United States, prompting New York City to declare a state of emergency and shut down non-emergency travel. The National Weather Service warned of heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding from the mid-Atlantic to Maine through Monday. Snowfall rates may reach 3 inches per hour with totals of 12 to 24 inches, creating nearly impossible travel conditions. Gusts up to 60 mph and heavy, wet snow raise the risk of power outages. Blizzard warnings and emergency declarations were issued across multiple states, and readiness efforts were mobilized.

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