Here’s What’s Canceled As Massive Winter Storm Blasts NYC

NEW YORK CITY — Blankets of snow from a blizzard-like storm will freeze up parts of daily life in New York City for at least two days.

The worst of the storm is yet to come, Mayor Bill de Blasio and city officials said Monday morning. Heavy snow bands will dump up to 22 inches, perhaps more on the city, over the day, he said.

De Blasio again warned New Yorkers after his State of Emergency declaration to stay off the roads. He ticked off a list of cancellations across the city, starting with in-person learning for public school students on Monday and Tuesday.

“Wednesday we’ll be back strong,” he said of schools.

Remote learning will go forward Monday and Tuesday for all students, de Blasio said.

COVID-19 vaccine appointments will be postponed as well as a matter of safety to keep New Yorkers, especially seniors, from traveling through treacherous conditions, he said.

“Vaccinations are cancelled today, they’re also going to be canceled tomorrow,” he said.

Other cancellations and measures include:

• Alternate side parking is suspended for Monday and Tuesday
• Open Restaurants is canceled for Monday. De Blasio said there’s a “chance” it could return Tuesday evening.
• Food distributions at schools are canceled Monday and Tuesday, but will return Wednesday, de Blasio said.
• A Code Blue is in effect for people who are homeless. De Blasio encouraged New Yorkers to call 311 to get help for unsheltered homeless people, or 911 if the situation appears dire.

MTA subways and buses are still running but passengers likely will face delays, de Blasio said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo also issued a state of emergency for the city. He warned that service on MTA above ground subway lines and commuter trains could be canceled later Monday.

New Yorkers who need to travel on those lines “should do so with extreme caution and try to get to their destination BEFORE 12 NOON,” according to a Governor’s Office release.

"This storm is no joke and the main concern right now is that the expected snowfall rate of two inches per hour this afternoon creates an extremely dangerous situation on our roadways," Cuomo said in a statement. "When snow is falling that quickly, it makes it very difficult for plows to keep up with it. I want New Yorkers to hear me loud and clear - stay home and off the roads and if you must travel, get where you're going before noon, and expect to remain home for some time. We've been through this before and we will get through it again."

All flights at LaGuardia Airport have been suspended, according to the airport’s Twitter account.

Some flights at JFK Airport, as of late Monday morning, were still going forward, according that airport’s Twitter account.

“Approximately, 83% of today's flights have been cancelled at #JFK,” the tweet states. “Additional cancellations are expected later today. Travelers are advised to contact their airline for more information.”

New Yorkers are ordered to stay off the roads until Tuesday and 6 a.m. under the city’s State of Emergency. The only exceptions under the order are:

• Public transit workers
• First responders
• Healthcare and homecare workers
• Police officers
• Peace officers
• Any other workers engaged in vital City services
• Delivery of food, medical supplies, or fuel
• News media
• Hotel workers
• Homeless shelter and outreach workers
• Utility workers performing emergency repairs
• Persons employed by pharmacies, grocery stores (including all food and beverage stores), convenience stores, bodegas, gas stations, laundromats, hotels, restaurants/bars, and hardware stores
• Individuals seeking medical treatment or medical supplies
• For-hire vehicles, used to transport persons employed to perform any of these services to and from their places of employment