Winter returns as storms lash northeast US
Print Edition
A STORM lashed the northeast United States on Monday, with sleet and deep snow in some places. It paralyzed much of the Washington-to-Boston corridor after a mild February had lulled people into thinking the worst of winter was over.
The powerful northeaster grounded more than 5,000 flights, knocked out power to over 100,000 customers from Virginia to Pennsylvania, closed schools and prompted warnings to stay off the road.
As the morning wore on, the storm’s track shifted slightly and snow switched to sleet in Philadelphia and New York. Blizzard warnings were lifted in some places along the coast, and forecasts of heavy snowfalls were cut in half.
But residents farther inland were badly affected.
“The winters seem to be upside down now. January and February are nice and then March and April seem to be more wintry than they were in the past,” said Bob Clifford a resident of Altamont, near Albany, New York.
Flight cancellations included more than 2,800 in the New York City area alone, where about 200 passengers were stranded at Kennedy Airport. Amtrak canceled or modified services up and down the northeast corridor. The above-ground portions of the New York subway system were being shut down.
In the nation’s capital, the federal government announced a three-hour delayed arrival for non-emergency employees, with an option to take the day off or telecommute. Emergency employees were told to report on time unless otherwise directed.
“Good day to make brownies ... and or read a book,” said Governor Dannel Malloy of Connecticut, where heavy falls of snow were expected.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the entire state and instructed non-essential state employees to stay home.
In Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker encouraged motorists to stay off the road and to take public transport only if absolutely necessary, saying the snow would make driving hazardous.
Schools in New York, Philadelphia and Boston were among those closed.
The storm comes a week after the region saw temperatures climb into the 60s, and less than a week before the official start of spring.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan urged people not to be lulled into a false sense of security because of the mild winter.
“This is a serious winter storm,” he said. “It’s obviously going to be the biggest event we’ve had this season and people need to be prepared. They need to be safe.”
President Donald Trump tweeted a photo of his Monday evening meeting with Washington’s mayor and transport chief to discuss storm preparations.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said about 700 National Guard members were being deployed, along with more than 2,000 snowplows to keep up with the storm.
In Illinois, state police said the snow caused two crashes on a Chicago expressway that involved a total of 34 cars. Seven people suffered minor injuries.
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