A gigantic winter storm has hit the US east coast, grounding flights, closing vaccination sites and bringing New York City to a standstill.
Already 19in (48cm) of snow had fallen in some parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. New York City saw 17in (43cm) snow By Monday afternoon.
Both the states New Jersey and New York City have announced a state of emergency.
Before tapering off on Tuesday, the storm would move up to New England, the US National Weather Service said.
Experts estimated the wind speed of up to 50mph (80km/h) for several days creating a blinding, blowing snowstorm.
The storm has formed mayhem on local travel. Thus, Bill de Blasio New York City Mayor issued an order restricting non-essential travel from 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday, and closing public schools on Tuesday.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a state of emergency in New York City and 44 other counties.
“This is a hazardous situation,” he said in a press conference on Monday. “A life-threatening-situation. Expect closings. It’s going to get very bad, very speedily.”
In New Jersey, Governor Philip Murphy suspended the state’s bus and rail operations on Monday. His emergency order permits authorities to close roads and empty homes.
Flights remain suspended
More than 1,600 flights have been annulled at major airports in the storm’s path, including Newark Liberty International Airport, John F Kennedy Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport. Moreover, at New York’s La Guardia Airport, airport authorities suspended all flights of Monday morning.
As of 8 a.m. EST, authorities had scrubbed more than 80 of Tuesday’s flights, and another 21 were delayed due to the situation.
Further, the situation was worse south at JFK International Airport, where the blizzard cancelled 115 flights, and 20 more were behind. Across the Hudson River, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey had 111 cancellations and 27 delays.
