Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a local state of emergency and a sweeping citywide travel ban Sunday as a “historic” blizzard bore down on the nation’s largest city, threatening to dump up to two feet of snow and bringing daily life to a standstill.
The emergency order, which went into effect Sunday afternoon, includes a mandatory travel ban on all non-essential vehicles beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday and lasting until noon Monday. The ban covers all city streets, highways, and bridges, applying to cars, trucks, scooters, and e-bikes alike.
“New York City has not faced a storm of this scale in the last decade,” Mayor Mamdani said during a press briefing at the Spring Street Salt Shed. “We are asking New Yorkers to stay inside and stay off the roads so our heroes in Sanitation can do their jobs.”
An “Old-School” Snow Day
In a move that delighted students but challenged working parents, the mayor announced that New York City Public Schools will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23. Breaking from the recent trend of pivoting to remote instruction during inclement weather, Mamdani declared a “traditional snow day” with no remote learning required.
“The kids deserve a day to just be kids,” the mayor said, noting the city received a waiver from the state’s 180-day instructional requirement due to the severity of the forecast.
Transit and Road Closures
While the travel ban begins tonight, transportation networks are already seeing significant disruptions:
- MTA: Subways and buses are currently running but with “significant delays” expected as the storm intensifies.
- NJ Transit: All bus, light rail, and Access Link services were suspended as of 6 p.m. Sunday.
- Air Travel: More than 7,000 flights across the Northeast corridor have been canceled.
Authorities warned that any non-essential vehicles found on the roads after 9 p.m. will be subject to ticketing and towing to clear the way for the city’s fleet of 700 salt trucks and thousands of plows.
Parking and Price Gouging
- Alternate Side Parking (ASP): Suspended for Monday, Feb. 23. Parking meters remain in effect, though officials urged residents not to travel to feed them.
- Consumer Protection: The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has been directed to monitor for price gouging on essential goods like shovels, salt, and groceries.
The Forecast: “Bomb Cyclone” Conditions
Meteorologists have dubbed the storm Winter Storm Hernando, describing it as a “bomb cyclone” that will bring snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour overnight.
- Accumulation: Between 18 and 24 inches is projected for the five boroughs, with localized totals potentially reaching 28 inches.
- Wind: Gusts up to 70 mph are expected, creating whiteout conditions and the risk of widespread power outages.
- Coastal Flooding: A warning is in effect for low-lying areas, including Jamaica Bay, Staten Island, and the Battery, where moderate flooding is anticipated during high tide.
The city has activated its Code Blue emergency protocol, ensuring that no one seeking shelter will be turned away. Overdose prevention centers and select school buildings will remain open overnight as warming centers.
