Snowstorm paralyzes New York: Emergency declared and widespread impacts reported
Authorities in New York City have declared a state of emergency due to a severe snowstorm that struck the northeastern coast of the United States, bringing daily life in one of the world's most densely populated areas to a near standstill. Despite the lifting of travel restrictions, New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani confirmed that the city remains in an emergency response phase to deal with the aftermath of what he described as "unprecedented winter weather conditions.".
Various parts of the city experienced snowfall exceeding 15 inches (about 38 centimeters), the largest amount of snowfall recorded in the city since 2021, turning the bustling streets of New York into silent white scenes, as traffic froze and commercial and educational activities came to a standstill.
General context: “Northern Easter” storms and the region’s history with snow
This powerful storm is known as a "nor'easter," a term used to describe severe storms that form along the eastern coast of North America. These storms gain their strength from the convergence of cold air from the Arctic with warm, moist air over the Atlantic Ocean. Historically, the northeastern United States has experienced many devastating blizzards, such as the Great Storm of 1993, also known as the "Storm of the Century," which left a lasting impression on the collective memory of the region and influenced its disaster preparedness policies.
Wide-ranging effects on daily life and the economy
The storm's impact extended across several northeastern states, with warnings issued for more than 40 million people. The storm caused power outages for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, exacerbating the hardship for residents already struggling with freezing temperatures. Authorities in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island issued travel bans and closed schools and universities to ensure public safety and allow emergency crews to clear snow.
Economically, the storm caused significant losses due to the disruption of business activities, particularly in the retail and service sectors. The closure of major airports such as John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia, and Newark resulted in the cancellation of over 5,600 flights and the delay of thousands more, disrupting both domestic and international travel and impacting global supply chains that rely on these vital hubs.
Authorities' response and residents' reactions
New York City authorities are working around the clock to clear major roads and restore essential services. Mayor Mamdani emphasized that the top priority is ensuring the safety of residents and restoring normalcy as quickly as possible. Residents' reactions varied, with some expressing weariness with the repeated severe weather and others tired of dealing with heavy snow, while still others took the opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery blanketing iconic landmarks like Grand Central.
While the National Weather Service expects the snowfall to subside, it warned of continued strong winds that could make rescue operations more difficult and exacerbate power outages, keeping the region on high alert in the coming days.
