© Thomas P. Costello, Asbury Park Press via Imagn Content Services, LLC
(New York, NY) — Governor Kathy Hochul is declaring a state of emergency as New York State prepares for extreme weather. The governor says state agencies will coordinate closely with local governments to ensure resources are available immediately. Hochul says the state is preparing for some of the most dangerous cold experienced in years in additional to the 12 to 18 inches of snow possible for New York City, the Hudson Valley, and Long Island. She’s urging people to stay off the roads so crews can work on salting and clearing the roads.
Ahead of the forecasted major snow storm, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says a decision will be made by noon Sunday as to whether the city’s schools will open on Monday. Regardless it will not be a traditional snow day but either classes as normal or remote learning. PSAL activities have been canceled for Sunday. Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels says they’re prepared after the system crashed in the past when it was unable to handle the amount of people logging on all at once. He says they have stress tested the system, conducted simulations, increased capacity and implemented a staggered schedule on Monday to ensure they have the capacity.
Stay home and watch football or play board games. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill gave residents that advice Friday afternoon, as she announced all 21 counties are now under a State of Emergency. She joined State Police, Transportation and Public Utilities officials to say there will be commercial travel restrictions on highways and interstates, and urged people to stay off roads so plows and salt spreaders can work. Sherrill also said local municipalities should contact their counties if they’re running low on road salt, because she says there should be enough supplies available at the ports.
New Jersey Transit is telling bus and train riders they plan to stick to a normal weekend schedule once the snow starts falling on Sunday, but asking customers to check ahead for any schedule or route changes. Customers are urged to only travel if absolutely necessary, and systemwide cross-honoring will be in effect for bus, rail, private carriers and light rail service Sunday and Monday. This means passengers who normally use one mode of travel like a bus into Manhattan, can use that bus ticket or pass to take a train instead.
