Snowstorm blasts NYC as it prepares for the worst
NEW YORK CITY — A historic storm began to make its way across this city on Monday as worried travelers tried to get to safe, warm places and government officials warned people to stay inside.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio spent the day urging anyone in the city to get prepared for what could be one of the biggest snowstorms in the Big Apple's history.
City streets will be closed to non-emergency traffic as of 11 p.m. Monday and schools will be closed Tuesday. Thousands of flights have been canceled, leaving some stranded.
"Our message to New Yorkers is to not underestimate this storm," de Blasio said Monday. "Make preparations to get home this afternoon before the worst of the storm hits. The combination of heavy snow and wind will make travel dangerous."
Across the city, people hurriedly jumped on subways, hopped in cabs and power-walked home to heed de Blasio's warning.
"I'm very anxious, of course," Rosalinda Gonzalez, a comptroller who lives in Aberdeen, N.J., said while standing on a Manhattan subway platform Monday afternoon. Soon after, she dashed into a subway car.
Luiz Cavalli, who lives Florianopolis, Brazil, echoed Gonzalez's anxiety as he snapped photos of a snowy Times Square. He hopes his Friday flight home doesn't get canceled.
In the meantime, he's having fun.
"We've never seen snow like that before," he said. "For us, it's a big party."
Manhattan resident Michael Choka, 53, said he was most worried about the homeless living in the streets of New York City.
"We have to step up and take food to them, blankets and give them whatever they need," said Choka, an artist and home attendant. "Just walk up and give them whatever you can. You can't force them to move, but you can give them a blanket or you can give them some food."
John Disogra, 30, of Queens, isn't convinced the weather will be as dangerous as predicted.
"As a lifelong New Yorker, I don't think it will be too bad compared to other storms of the past," said Disogra, a financial adviser. "I think I'll be doing a lot of shoveling, but other that, if I can make the railroad back, I should be all right."
On Sunday, Disogra stocked up on groceries such as canned soup, fruits and vegetables, and some meat.
Christy Bell, who is visiting the city from her home in Mount Dora, Fla., is concerned that she'll get stuck in a hotel room without power.
"I have been collecting books and newspaper in my room in case we don't have anything except daylight from the window," she said. "Hopefully we can get through until we get home."
Bell, 40, came to New York hoping to see snow and got her wish — although a blizzard may be more than she bargained for.
"I saw snow for the first time today, so it's been cold but exciting," Bell said. "It's really cool."
Yet she adds: "I'm glad I don't live here."