Post date: Feb 08, 2013 9:43:21 PM
Powerful blizzard takes aim at northeastern U.S. New Yorkers urged to stay home.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 8, 2013) (NYC-TV) - The northeastern United States braced for a possibly historic blizzard that could drop up to three feet (nearly one meter) of snow from Friday (February 8) to Saturday and bring travel to a halt.
Blizzard warnings were in effect from New Jersey through southern Maine, with Bostonexpected to bear the brunt of the storm. The day began with light snow and winds that were due to pick up with much heavier snowfall by afternoon.Officials urged residents to stay home, rather than risk getting stuck in deep drifts or whiteout conditions.
"Stay off the city streets. Stay out of your cars and stay in your homes while the worst of the storm is on us. That's for your own protection during potentially hazardous outdoor conditions," urged New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
"You can't take nature too lightly. Hopefully it won't be anything drastic and it's certainly not going to be a Hurricane Sandy. But that doesn't mean you can't get badly hurt or killed if you are not careful. And help others," he continued.
In New York City, still not fully recovered from the effects of October's devastating Hurricane Sandy, officials said they had 1,800 Sanitation Department trucks equipped with snow plows ready to be deployed.
Forecasters predict between 10 inches (25 centimeters) and 14 inches (35.5 centimeters) of snow to fall in New York City as well as some moderate coastal flooding.