NYC hit by massive snowstorm: Mamdani declares emergency as blizzard triggers travel chaos; schools closed

A powerful blizzard brought New York City to a near standstill on Monday after a massive winter storm dumped up to 15 inches of snow overnight, prompting Mayor Zohran Mamdani to declare a local state of emergency, impose a sweeping travel ban, and shut public schools for the first full snow day in years.The storm, described by the National Weather Service as a “major winter event,” unleashed intense snowfall at rates of up to three inches per hour, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 60 mph, creating near-whiteout conditions and rendering travel “extremely treacherous.”In a series of early morning updates on social media, Mayor Mamdani urged residents to remain indoors.“Snowfall: 8–15 inches last night. More snow expected until early afternoon.

Roads are CLOSED until at least noon today. Essential and emergency trips only,” he said, warning that the blizzard posed serious safety risks.

Authorities said total snow accumulation across parts of the tri-state area could reach up to 20 inches by the time the storm weakens later in the day.

Travel ban in force as roads shut

City officials imposed a blanket travel ban beginning Sunday night, shutting streets, highways, and bridges to all non-essential vehicles to allow emergency responders and sanitation crews to operate safely.

“This emergency declaration allows us to cut through red tape so emergency vehicles and essential workers can do their jobs,” Mamdani said.Snowplows worked through the night to clear major routes, but officials warned that blowing snow and poor visibility could quickly undo clearing efforts.Governor Kathy Hochul also declared a statewide emergency, placing National Guard units on standby and urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.Power outages were reported across the region, affecting more than 250,000 people along the East Coast, including over 100,000 in New Jersey.

Airlines, trains disrupted; thousands of flights cancelled

Air travel across the northeastern United States faced massive disruption, with more than 5,500 flights cancelled nationwide and thousands more delayed.Major airports, including John F Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, were among the worst affected, with airlines suspending operations due to dangerous runway conditions and low visibility.Public transport services were also severely impacted. Rail services, including commuter lines, faced cancellations and delays, while transit agencies struggled to maintain limited operations amid worsening weather.Meteorologists warned that strong winds and heavy snow could continue to disrupt travel throughout the day.

Schools shut as city declares first ‘real snow day’ in years

New York City public schools were closed Monday, with officials confirming there would be no remote learning.“Tomorrow is a full snow day — no remote learning, no logging on. Our first real snow day in seven years,” Mamdani said.

The city also opened warming centers to assist vulnerable residents and suspended alternate side parking rules to facilitate snow removal.Officials urged residents to stay indoors, monitor weather updates, and check on vulnerable neighbours as the storm continues to impact the region.Meteorologists said while New York is no stranger to winter storms, the scale and intensity of this blizzard make it one of the most disruptive in recent years.