The blizzard warning has been lifted from New York. See below for weather and transport updates as Nemo leaves New York City looking like a winter wonderland.
Previous articles: * 5 Blizzards that Paralyzed the Northeast * Rockaway Residents Preparing for Blizzard Nemo * Nemo Finds New York; Brace for Winter Storm *
Transport Info:
Airports: Airlines resuming limited operation from 9 a.m. Saturday morning at JFK and La Guardia. Newark has limited activity and will resume more around noon. Stewart will resume in the afternoon. Please contact your airline before heading to any airport.
Subways: Operating with scattered delays. See website.
Buses: Operating normally with some detours.
LIRR: Now running two-hourly service on ‘Big 4’ branches -- Babylon, Huntington, Port Washington and Ronkonkoma -- as storm recovery efforts continue. See website for details.
Amtrak: Northbound service is shut down.
Metro-North: Resumed service after 11 a.m. Saturday morning on the Harlem and Hudson lines, but service on the New Haven Line will remain suspended due to heavy snow accumulation along the line, up to three feet in some areas. See website.
[Updated 11:26 a.m. Saturday]
For real time traffic and travel info: http://www.511ny.org/
...............................................................................................................................
12:36 p.m. Saturday -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Update
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that state assets are being mobilized to assist hard hit areas in Suffolk County, deploying snow plows, front end loaders, and other snow removal equipment from across the state to the region.
In addition, 800 line workers are working to restore power with streets being cleared to allow them to do work.
Cuomo has spoken to, and offered assistance to, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy whose states were heavily impacted by the storm. New York State will provide support and deploy snow plows, front end loaders, and utility crews to the hardest hit areas of Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Transportation
On Long Island, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has 300 snow plows working on Long Island. In addition, the state has activated emergency contractors for additional snow plows and front end loaders for snow removal.
Cuomo has directed that NYSDOT resources be available from Upstate areas that were not as hard hit by the storm and to be redeployed to Long Island. After roads are clear, priority will be given to power trucks and first responders to travel.
Public Safety
In all, the New York National Guard mobilized 100 Soldiers and Airmen and 37 vehicles in New York City, Long Island, and Central New York (Oriskany) in support of the civil response related to the storm. The NY National Guard supported missions tasked from NYSOEM and provided support to emergency responders on Long Island assisting stranded motorists.
Utilities
10,000 households in Suffolk County without power
...............................................................................................................................
11:55 a.m. Saturday -- Zoos Open
All four WCS Zoos -- Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo -- will open at noon.
...............................................................................................................................
Lingering, scattered snow showers expected in the New York City area this morning with only a trace amount of accumulation (total of less than one inch). Light snowfall is expected to last through noon today. Winds will continue to pick up this morning with gusting through the afternoon, blowing snow and causing snow drifts.
A blizzard warning for New York City has been cancelled.
The NOAA said the storm has brought in more than 2 feet of snow together with hurricane force wind gusts across New England and Long Island New York.
...............................................................................................................................
The Long Island Rail Road is providing limited two-hourly service to and from Farmingdale on the Ronkonkoma Branch, to and from Huntington, Babylon and Port Washington.
Service remains suspended service on the Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma Branches east of Hicksville, on the Port Washington Branch and on the Montauk Branch east of Speonk due to the storm.
...............................................................................................................................
6:03 p.m. -- No New Information
Until the weather changes, we’re going offline. See our other article here. * 5 Blizzards that Paralyzed the Northeast * Rockaway Residents Preparing for Blizzard Nemo * Nemo Finds New York; Brace for Winter Storm *
...............................................................................................................................
Volunteers to remove snow for active-duty military families through SnowCare, a national program.
Started three years ago, the program has 1,200 volunteers signed up to help more than 1,500 military families.
People can also, if they do not wish to help shovel snow, help by donating money or gas cards to offset costs, or lending snow removal equipment to volunteers or groups.
http://projectevergreen.com/scft/
...............................................................................................................................
4:37 p.m. -- State of Emergency Declared
Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency in New York in response to the blizzard.
He addressed the public in the late afternoon on Feb. 8, saying:
- State of emergency gives state and local governments more flexibility in dealing with the storm
- Officials across the state are prepared
- Will hit Long Island worse than New York City
- Approximately 3,000 people have lost power
- Nemo is “nothing more than a severe winter storm”
- “You’ve heard of finding Nemo, it looks like Nemo has found us.”
- “We are not anticipating anything like Hurricane Sandy”
Thomas Prendergast, interim executive director of the MTA (which manages the subway system in New York City, as well as the buses and Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North:
- After 8 p.m., as snowfall gets heavier, there may be a temporary service shutdown
-“If you take care and travel early, it will be better for you.”
...............................................................................................................................
4:33 p.m. -- Snow Plows Idle
Snow plows are sitting idle at 28th and Broadway.
“We can’t plow anything right now because there is no snow,” said a Department of Sanitation employee. “Otherwise we would tear up the streets.”
...............................................................................................................................
3:37 p.pm -- Subway Service Suspension Possible
Thomas F. Prendergast, the MTA’s interim executive director said at 2:30 p.m.: “If weather conditions require, there is the possibility that we will suspend some subway ... service to ensure the safety of our customers.”
...............................................................................................................................
2: 38 p.m. -- Advice if You’re Trapped in a Car During Blizzard
Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave an update about the storm and the city’s preparation. Here’s a collection of quotes and paraphrasing:
-“It’s nice to see you again” to sign language interpreter Pamela Mitchell, who he appeared with multiple times during Hurricane Sandy
-Heaviest snow expected to begin between 3 and 7 p.m. 10 to 14 inches across the five boroughs. “All of that could change; the storm could move much further east faster and we have an awful lot less snow.”
-“Many of the same communities” affected by Sandy likely to see “moderate coastal flooding”
-Stay in your houses during the worst of the storm.
-“Tonight what’s a good idea? Cook a meal, stay home, read a good book, watch a movie, just take it easy.”
-“It’s good to look at your neighbor’s who may need a little extra help getting through the next couple days.”
-“Do not use 911” for anything but a real emergency
- See live plow updates:
- FDNY will have 100 additional ambulances on streets tonight, and has addes an extra firefighter to each fire truck.
- “Underground subway service will be operating close to normal throughout the rush hour today.” After that some trains will be stored underground for safety after rush hour, and the other trains will be running local only (no express service).
- “We don’t think #nemo is going to be a big deal”
- “If we declare an emergency, people will have to all move their cars.” #nemo
- “In spite of people rushing to the gas stations in the last day or so, we still have adequate supplies.”
- Don’t anticipate evacuations.
@MikeBloomberg:
“My biggest concern is that people go out and walk, slip, and fall into traffic.”
“I will be home tonight, rest assured.” Might cook, or get dinner from the Greek diner from around the corner.
“You can’t take nature too lightly, hopefully it won’t be anything too drastic, and it won’t be anything like a Hurricane Sandy.”
...............................................................................................................................
- Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out.
- Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year.
- If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Put Together a Supply Kit
- Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
- Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
- Flashlight
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.)
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Cell phone with chargers
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
- Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
- Tools/supplies for securing your home
- Sand, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery
- Warm coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and extra blankets and warm clothing for all household members
- Ample alternate heating methods such as fireplaces or wood- or coal-burning stoves
...............................................................................................................................
12:55 p.m. -- Coffee Tips During the Storm
David Salzman, a specialty coffee caterer, is giving blizzard prep tips on Twitter.
- Unplug all your fancy coffee gear in case of a power surge later on
- “If you don’t own an electric coffee bean grinder, use a spice mill or cleaned out pepper grinder.”
- “No way to grind those coffee beans if you lose power? Try a mortar and pestle.”
Follow Salzman for the best in storm prep for coffee drinkers https://twitter.com/Espresso_Dave
...............................................................................................................................
All four WCS zoos: Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo, will close Friday at 1 p.m. and will likely be closed Saturday.
...............................................................................................................................
12:43 p.m. -- Electricity Update
Con Edison is monitoring the storm and enourages customers to not go near any downed power lines, instead alerting them at www.conEd.com/ReportOutage or 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633)
...............................................................................................................................
12:37 p.m. -- Afterschool Programs Cancelled
Afterschool programs and games are cancelled for Friday. Saturday programs may still be open; the Department of Education will decide later in the day.
...............................................................................................................................
12:32 p.m. -- Weather Report
Low pressure has started to develop off the coast of New England; it will meet with low pressure inland and. according to the Weather Channel, “as those two energies really come together later today, that’s when we'll begin to see the big issues across New England.”
Snow will fall—likely the most in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania, from 8 to 16 inches. Blizzard warnings have been issued from coastal Maine to northern New Jersey, including the New York City metro area.
Howard Glaser, director of state operations for New York, said in a radio interview earlier that, “This is, in some ways, a routine blizzard.”
He suggested people not drive around, especially later in the day, to avoid the danger of being stranded.
There is a potential for minor flooding along the Mid-Atlantic coast, including two to four feet above usual tides along New York Harbor and in Newark Bay. Beach erosion in the Rockaways for the ocean facing beaches is likely. Some road closures are expected, but most will remain open and “there is no significant threat to life,” according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures are expected to plunge into the 20s by Friday evening, and the strongest winds and snows will happen this evening through Saturday morning. Some tree limbs will likely be downed and there could be power outages.
...............................................................................................................................
12:13 p.m. -- Mayor Bloomberg Update
Mayor Michael Bloomberg will update New Yorker’s on the city’s response to approaching winter storm Nemo at 1 p.m. Watch live here.
...............................................................................................................................
12:03 p.m. -- Transportation Update
Amtrak
Suspending northbound service out of Penn Station after departures of Northeast Regional at 12:30PM and Acela Express at 1:03PM.
For more updates on MTA service, visit here.
Subways
- Delays on the 7 line
- B, D, and F trains running with delays
- E trains running with delays
- 4 Trains running express from Woodlawn to Kingsbridge Rd.
PATH
No scheduled changes; officials are keeping an eye on weather changes
Buses
-No delays yet
Long Island Rail Road
- Customers should leave for eastbound trips in the early afternoon, says MTA
- Service will be suspended if snow levels climb above 10 inches.
- Extra departures:
Babylon Branch
• The 2:32 PM train from Penn Station due in Babylon at 3:45 PM, running express to Lynbrook and then all local stops to Babylon.
• The 3:00 PM train from Penn Station due in Babylon at 4:12 PM with stops at Jamaica and Rockville Centre and then all local stops to Babylon.
• The 3:31 PM train from Penn Station due in Babylon at 4:39 PM, running express to Rockville Centre and then all local stops to Babylon
Port Jefferson Branch
• The 1:46 PM train from Jamaica due in Port Jefferson at 3:37 PM.
• The 2:09 PM train from Penn Station due in Huntington at 3:09 PM with stops at Jamaica and Carle Place and then all local stops to Huntington
• The 2:29 PM train from Penn Station due in Huntington at 3:35 PM with stops at Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, New Hyde Park and then all local stops to Huntington.
• The 3:24 PM train from Penn Station due in Hicksville at 4:05 PM with stops at Jamaica, Mineola Westbury and Hicksville.
Port Washington Branch
• The 3:40 PM train from Penn Station due in Great Neck at 4:15 PM with stops at Woodside, Flushing Main St. and then all stops to Great Neck.
Far Rockaway Branch
• The 3:48 PM train from Penn Station due in Far Rockaway at 4:43 PM running express to Locust Manor and then all stops to Far Rockaway.
Metro-North
-No changes announced yet
Airports
-All currently open. Check with airlines before traveling to airports here.
Bridges and Tunnels
All open for now.
Staten Island Ferry
Previously announced delays; still running.
...............................................................................................................................
