Latest On Winter Storm: Recovery Focuses On Flooding, Digging Out Of Record Snowfalls

Millions of people from the Midwest to the East Coast who found themselves in the path of a sprawling weather system that dropped up to three feet of snow woke up Sunday to dry skies and parades of plows as work began to open entire cities and towns virtually shut down by the storm.

Floodwaters poured over many streets along the New Jersey coast, the cancelation of thousands of flights continued and cars buried by the snowfall and sealed in ice by plows remained stuck cold on hundreds of streets.

Still, officials seemed pleased with the response considering the sheer volume of snow, which set records in many areas.

“Happy Sunday to all,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said at a morning news conference. “We survived, and then some.”

The storm hit major cities including the nation’s capital, where the dig out effort is expected to continue well into next week. In New York City, 26 inches of snow was recorded in Central Park, making it the second-largest storm in the city’s history. Drivers who had been banned from roads since Saturday afternoon began returning to navigate through layers of snow that remained.

Buses and trains began moving again at 7 a.m.

Eighteen storm-related deaths were recorded, The Associated Press reported, covering a region that included Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. Cape Cod was also hit with 15 inches of snow that contributed to widespread power outages. Major airports virtually shut down operations and those flying in and out of the affected areas can expect delays to last days.

Announcements of Monday closures of schools and colleges in Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey were already being posted early Sunday but the storm appeared to have damaged New Jersey shore towns more than any other area.

Water filled the streets of a number of New Jersey towns Sunday, an event not unexpected as nearly 4 inches of snow fell per hour Saturday in some towns, particularly along the back-bay locations and along the coast.

Much of Long Beach Island remained underwater Sunday, submerged in what looked like an icy river. Much of Surf City and Beach Haven were also underwater.

Here’s the latest from the storm:

New Jersey: Coastal towns in New Jersey were the most severely affected by the storm where roads virtually turned to streams, with chunks of ice floating in the water like icebergs. Voluntary and mandatory evacuations were ordered in the affected areas Saturday, and thousands remained without water and power Sunday.

Washington: The city is in a dig out mode and is asking residents and vehicles to stay off the streets, help shovel snow off sidewalks and help neighbors. Sunday operations are being concentrated on the roadways and the city is still operating under an emergency. Runways at major airports including Dulles and Reagan remain closed Sunday.

Northern Virginia: The region has said goodbye to the blizzard but residents are still warned to stay off the roads to give crews space to clean roads. The area saw about 2 feet of snow and areas of blowing snow were expected Sunday. Virginia State Police reported more than 500 motorists needed assistance with disabled vehicles statewide Saturday.

Maryland: The state saw highway closures, roof collapses and several storm-related fatalities on Saturday. Most residents were asked to curtail non-essential travel as crews work to clean up roads.

Long Island: Like many other communities, the storm shut down roads and public transit. A state of emergency was declared and some residents will be digging themselves out of nearly 3 feet of snow. A coastal flood advisory remained in effect for the early part of Sunday.

New York City: The city saw 26.8 inches of snow recorded at Central Park, making Saturday’s storm the second largest in history. A travel ban imposed Saturday was lifted and most public transit resumed modified operations.

Image Credit: Marc Torrence