Massive winter storm hits US east coast
Coastal flooding alerts were issued from New Jersey to Massachusetts with winter weather advisories, winter storm warnings and high wind warnings in effect from the Northeast to the mid-Atlantic.
A flooded car parked in a lot behind Front St. as a large coastal storm affects the area on March 2, 2018, in Scituate, Massachusetts. A nor’easter is set to slam the East Coast on Friday, bringing coastal flooding, heavy snow and strong winds to the area. (AFP)
A major winter storm pounded the US east coast on Friday, whipping up strong winds and dumping heavy rain and snow, forcing the cancellation of several thousand flights and the closure of federal government offices in Washington.
Coastal flooding alerts were issued from New Jersey to Massachusetts with winter weather advisories, winter storm warnings and high wind warnings in effect from the Northeast to the Mid-Atlantic, the National Weather Service said.
This map shows where winds have recently been reported to have gusted to 40 or more MPH through the Northeast. This significant storm will bring wet, heavy snow; strong, gusty winds, and coastal and inland flooding to the Middle Atlantic and Northeast. https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP pic.twitter.com/1JA90ounu2
— NWS (@NWS) March 2, 2018
The storm dropped more than a 30.5 centimetres of snow in western and northern parts of New York state, as heavy rain lashed coastal areas. The storm is expected to taper off overnight or by early Saturday.
More than 2,600 flights were cancelled within, into or out of the United States on Friday and more than 1,500 others delayed, according to the website FlightAware.
Flight cancellations
Half the flights scheduled to arrive and depart from New York’s LaGuardia airport were cancelled, with sweeping cancellations also in effect at Boston Logan International and New York’s two other area airports, Newark and John F. Kennedy International.
Amtrak, the US national railroad passenger service, announced that “for safety” all services along the North East corridor were temporarily suspended.
451 cancellations at #JFK as of 8 PM, 39% of flight operations. There are no FAA restrictions currently affecting the airport. Limited departure and arrival activity is experiencing 15 minutes or less delays. AirTrain JFK has resumed normal service.
— Kennedy Airport (@JFKairport) March 3, 2018
Trains already en route between the US capital, New York, and Boston would continue to their destinations and hold, it announced.
New York, the most populous US city and home to 8.5 million people, was expected to avoid heavy snow.
Instead the forecast was for two to three inches of rain and wet snow (six centimetres), with wind gusts of up to 96 kilometres per hour.
Our members are out on the roadways to respond to accidents and crashes, and answer calls during the duration of the storm.
Remember to drive slowly and with caution. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads.
Also, if you really don’t have to go out, don’t.
Be safe! pic.twitter.com/qrPEKlU6Fb— NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) March 2, 2018
New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo warned that Long Island and New York City would see winds of 40 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 70 possible in eastern Long Island. Wind at that speed has the potential to uproot trees and cause power outages.
Strong winds, heavy snowfall and limited visibility are creating hazardous driving conditions statewide.
Avoid travel if possible. More info on the winter storm ⬇️ https://t.co/IjcKX69Nok
— State of New York (@NYGov) March 2, 2018
A flight information board shows cancelled flights as a storm bringing high winds passes over Reagan National Airport in Washington. (Reuters)
