WASHINGTON – A powerful winter storm is expected to dump deep snow on parts of the northeastern US that are home to major cities like New York, after blanketing the nation's capital yesterday.
The National Weather Service issued storm warnings from Virginia to Maine – home to tens of millions of people – and predicted snowfalls of 45-60cm in southern New York, northeastern New Jersey and parts of southwest Connecticut.
New Jersey governor Phil Murphy issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm's expected arrival, giving authorities the ability to close roads, evacuate homes and commandeer equipment needed for public safety.
He also suspended all public transportation throughout the state today, in anticipation of the storm's impact, and coordinated with utilities companies in case of power outages.
"Charge your devices, and if you experience a power outage – report it immediately," he urged New Jersey residents on Twitter.
The storm, which hit California with more than 1.8m of snow and heavy rain last week, then moved on to the Midwest, dropping about 20cm of snow in Chicago, according to the NWS.
Snowfall started overnight Saturday into yesterday here. A winter storm warning from the NWS predicted between 7cm and 12cm in the area around Washington and Baltimore, Maryland.
The storm is expected to continue in the region until tomorrow, capping off with a mixture of ice, sleet and freezing rain.
According to a White House official, President Joe Biden met with advisers yesterday to discuss "a range of issues, including the approaching winter storm", as well as Covid-19 vaccines and economic relief.
Meanwhile, residents here hurried outside to enjoy the snow, building snowmen and going sledding. – AFP, February 1, 2021
