Monster Snowstorm Leaves At Least 19 Dead, Paralyzes US East Coast
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A killer snowstorm paralyzed the East Coast, effectively shutting down New York City and the nation's capital, while dumping as much as 3 feet of snow in other areas.
At least 19 people died in the mammoth storm, which canceled thousands of flights throughout the weekend.
New York City recorded its second-largest snowfall since 1869, with Central Park receiving 26.8 inches by midnight — 0.1 inch shy of tying the record 26.9 inches set in 2006, the National Weather Service said.
Baltimore got a record 25.5 inches, breaking a daily record set in 1935, and a measurement of 22.3 inches of snow was taken in Washington, D.C. at midnight, NBC News reported.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo closed all roads in New York City and Long Island at 2:30 pm Saturday as well as tunnels and bridges going to New Jersey. Above-ground sections of the subway and New York City buses stopped running.
The travel ban will be lifted at 7 am Sunday, Cuomo said Saturday evening. "We have made very good progress in cleaning the roads," Cuomo said in a conference call with reporters.
While unusual, Cuomo said the shutdown was necessary because "the storm was fast and furious, and we believe that safety is paramount."
There were three shoveling-related deaths in New York City, officials said. Two people also died while apparently using snow blowers on Long Island Saturday, police said. New York City Police said they had responded to 312 car accidents and 343 disabled vehicles across the city.
With travel prohibited, major landmarks and attractions quickly closed their doors. All Broadway matinee and evening performances were canceled, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art shuttered early.