Flights cancelled and state of emergency declared as huge snowstorm hits New York
Thousands of flights have been cancelled after a powerful winter storm left a thick blanket of snow across New York City, causing chaos for travellers on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
Passengers were braced for severe disruption as some 1,500 flights were axed across the northeastern US on Friday night.
A total of 14,000 domestic services were cancelled nationwide as of mid-morning on Saturday.
As much as six inches of snow fell in parts of the Big Apple, with all three airports serving the city – John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International – posting warnings.
Residents in much of the North East were advised to avoid travelling if possible and stay clear of the roads due to treacherous conditions.
Workers were pictured shovelling snow in Times Square, while visitors braved the cold.
It comes as New York Governor Kathy Hochul placed half the state into a state of emergency amid the severe weather.
She said in a statement: ‘I encourage everyone to monitor local forecasts and avoid unnecessary travel. If you have to travel, plan ahead, take it slow, and leave plenty of time to get to where you need to go safely.’
The last time New York faced such heavy snow was when eight inches fell in 2022.
A state of emergency was also declared in neighbouring New Jersey.
State Governor Tahesha Way said: ‘This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel.
‘We are urging travellers to avoid travel during the storm and allow crews to tend to the roads.
‘Drivers should plan their travel accordingly, monitor conditions and road closures, and follow all safety protocols.’
New York mayor Eric Adams posted on X on Saturday: ‘A little bit of that white stuff doesn’t slow down New York City.
‘Thank you to @NYCSanitation, @nycemergencymgmt, and all our agencies who have been working hard before and during this storm.
‘Make sure you do your part and shovel your sidewalk to keep our city moving safely!’
Payton Baker and Kolby Gray were visiting New York for their third anniversary.
‘Well, it’s very cold and it was very unexpected,’ Ms Baker said.
‘The city is working pretty well to get all the roads salted and everything, so it’s all right.’
Bob Oravec, a Maryland-based forecaster at the National Weather Service, said the storms had died down going into Saturday but that areas were still getting flurries of snow.
Forecasters continued to warn of power outages and falling trees amid the ongoing severe conditions.
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