Post date: Oct 28, 2012 10:59:39 PM
The bright lights of Broadway go dark as New York City readies itself for the assault of Hurricane Sandy.
SATELLITE LOOP (OCTOBER 28, 2012) (NOAA) - New York City's famed "White Way" will go dark ahead of the anticipated impact of Hurricane Sandy, a life threatening storm that forecasters called a rare, hybrid "super storm."
"Sandy," created by an Arctic jet stream wrapping itself around a tropical storm, is expected to bring up to 12 inches (31 cm) of rain in some areas, as well as heavy snowfall inland.As a result, all Broadway shows for Sunday (October 28) and Monday (October 29) have been canceled.
Radio City Music Hall also announced that the box office and Stage Door Tour will be closed citing potential severe weather conditions and a public transportation shutdown in New York City.
A spokesperson for the theatre district said the decision to cancel the shows was made out of safety and security of theatergoers and its employees.
Earlier in the day, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg outlined emergency plans and ordered residents of low-lying areas to evacuate before a storm surge that could reach as 11 feet (3.4 meters).
"In light of these conditions, I am going to sign an executive order mandating evacuation of Zone A areas," said Bloomberg. "I am also ordering that all of the city's public schools be closed on Monday. Now first as to the evacuation zone, let me stress that we are ordering this evacuation for the safety of the approximately 375,000 people who live in these areas. If you live in these areas, you should leave them this afternoon."
The massive storm, dubbed "Frankenstorm", which has already killed 66 people in theCaribbean, is expected to reach from Mid-Atlantic states to New England. It could be the largest storm to hit the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.