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New York – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered a travel ban on city roads and shutdown of aboveground subway due to ongoing blizzard on Saturday afternoon.
Governor Cuomo announced the citywide travel ban on his Twitter account @NYGovCuomo as of 2:30 p.m. local time and the cease of operations for aboveground subways beginning at 4:00 p.m.
The dangerous blizzard hitting the northeastern United States, hashtagged on social media as #Blizzard2016, has accumulated over two feet of snow in some areas in its first twelve hours.
“Snow forecast has now increased to up to 30 inches in parts of Downstate NY, accompanied by high gusts of wind – a treacherous situation,” the Governor tweeted.
Because plows are unable to keep up with the increasing snowfall, Cuomo said, “public safety is job 1. Road travel ban will commence as of 2:30pm in the downstate area, in an orderly way so people can get home.”
“Above-ground exterior @MTA subways are icing over. 4pm will be last train on inbound or outbound on exterior subway routes. #Blizzard2016,” he added.
The Metro-North and the Long Island Railroad will also suspend trains this afternoon. The state Governor added a warning for “potential coastal flooding in Long Island and NYC.”
In addition, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed in a press conference that all non-emergency vehicles have to be off the streets or face the authorities.
“After 2:30, if you’re on the road…you are subject to arrest,” De Blasio warned civilians.
“It’s time for businesses to shut down and get their employees home right away.” Following the Mayor’s orders, Broadway announced all shows are canceled tonight.
Although the travel ban is for motorized vehicles only, De Blasio advised bikers should refrain from food deliveries.
“There should be no deliveries—no Fresh Direct, no deliveries by vehicles that are not absolutely essential,” he ordered.
The Mayor said this blizzard “is bad and it is getting worse rapidly,” but announced that the city has a “contingency plan in effect for 30 inches” of snow accumulation.
The National Weather System has issued an active blizzard warning in effect until 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
Snowfall has been recorded at 20-25 inches, with winds from the north at 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Temperatures are in the mid 20s Fahrenheit.
