New York City and other major northeastern metropolitans are bracing for a surge of snow from a potent and fast-moving Nor’easter that is set to knock out power and significantly disrupt travel, work and school.
Governors in several states, including New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts, are urging people to work from home and avoid non-essential travel amid concerns that blowing snow and heavy winds will create treacherous road conditions.
“Mother Nature is sending her love our way for Valentine’s Day in the form of a massive snowstorm,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday.
Ahead of the storm, New York City’s transit authority began preparing rail lines, bridges and subway systems, including outfitting buses with snow chains and positioning de-icing and debris-removal trains for outdoor tracks.
New York City Public Schools will transition to remote learning on Tuesday. Elsewhere, classes have been canceled in several city districts, including those in Boston, Newark, New Jersey, and New Haven, Connecticut.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy warned people to “take this one seriously” as parts of the state are eyeing up to a foot of dense, wet snow.
The state’s transportation commissioner, Fran O’Conner, urged residents to stay home and exercise “extreme caution” if they must venture outside.