New York, United States : A travel ban was imposed on New York and its suburbs Saturday with authorities effectively shutting down America's most populous city as a massive snow storm pummelling the eastern United States gathered pace.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo imposed a ban on all local and state roads across the city of 8.4 million residents, Long Island and crossings west to New Jersey from 2:30 pm (1930 GMT).
Bus services were suspended at noon, and overland commuter and subway trains in and out of Manhattan were to be shut from 4:00 pm as Broadway cancelled performances, museums closed and shops shuttered.
Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie banned travel on bridges and tunnels that connect Manhattan across the Hudson River, including the George Washington Bridge, ordinarily the busiest in the world.
Only authorized emergency vehicles, hazard vehicles and critical health care personnel are permitted to use the roads, officials said.
"Safety is our number one priority," Cuomo told reporters. "We are doing everything necessary to keep people safe, and I encourage all New Yorkers to wait out the storm indoors."
The vast majority of flights into and out of New York area airports -- La Guardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark -- were also cancelled.
Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that more than 20 inches (50 centimeters) of snow was expected to accumulate in the city and that the storm could prove unprecedented since records began in the 19th century.
"If it goes past 20 inches, it will be in the top five in terms of accumulation literally in our recorded history," he said. "This is a very big deal."
By early afternoon, Central Park had already recorded 14.7 inches of snowfall.
Public transit in Washington was shut down for the weekend as was most rail service in Philadelphia, as the monster storm -- dubbed "Snowzilla" -- dumped mounds of snow along the US East Coast.
Up to two feet (61 centimeters) was expected in several major cities.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo imposed a ban on all local and state roads across the city of 8.4 million residents, Long Island and crossings west to New Jersey from 2:30 pm (1930 GMT).
Bus services were suspended at noon, and overland commuter and subway trains in and out of Manhattan were to be shut from 4:00 pm as Broadway cancelled performances, museums closed and shops shuttered.
Only authorized emergency vehicles, hazard vehicles and critical health care personnel are permitted to use the roads, officials said.
Advertisement
The vast majority of flights into and out of New York area airports -- La Guardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark -- were also cancelled.
Advertisement
"If it goes past 20 inches, it will be in the top five in terms of accumulation literally in our recorded history," he said. "This is a very big deal."
Advertisement
Public transit in Washington was shut down for the weekend as was most rail service in Philadelphia, as the monster storm -- dubbed "Snowzilla" -- dumped mounds of snow along the US East Coast.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Intense Blizzard Disrupts Presidental Campaign In US, Over 2,000 Flights Cancelled Microsoft's $69 Billion Takeover of Call of Duty Maker Activision Gets US Green Light, UK's CMA Softens Stance The Last of Us Part II, Horizon Forbidden West Cost Over $200 Million Each to Make, Court Documents Reveal World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage 4 Passengers Die As 12 Coaches Of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express Derail In UP Why BJP Lost Lok Sabha Polls In Uttar Pradesh - 6 Reasons In Party Report Woman Dies After Jumping Off Elevated Platform At Delhi Metro Station: Cops No Coercive Action Against Delhi-NCR Home Buyers Over EMI: Supreme Court 60 Rare Siamese Crocodiles Hatch In Cambodia In A Conservation Win Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.