Blizzard ... commuters wait for a bus during a winter snowstorm on January 21 in Philadelphia. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Source: Supplied
"PREPARE for something worse than we have seen before."
That's the message from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio as northeast US braces for a monster winter storm, with residents snapping up supplies ahead of what de Blasio predicted as "the largest snowstorms in the history of this city".
"Don't underestimate this storm," he warned.
The stage was set for a possibly historic "nor'easter", dubbed Winter Storm Juno, that would affect an area from central New Jersey to the Canadian border from Monday afternoon to Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
That area encompasses about 29 million people, yet CNN reports that figure could as high as 58 million.
Officials in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington urged residents to stay home as they prepared for a "life-threatening storm" that could dump up to about a metre of snow in some areas.
About four inches of snow an hour is expected.
Crippling ... the National Weather Servie has issued a "blizzard warning" for the entire coast from New Jersey up to the Canadian border — an area encompassing about 29 million people. Picture: National Weather Service Source: Supplied
Winter Storm Juno ... up to 30 inches of snow is expected to hit New York City and Boston. Picture: The Weather Channel Source: Supplied
"My message to all New Yorkers is to prepare for something worse than we have seen before," de Blasio said.
"Take every precaution, now is the time to get ready for this extreme weather. Don't underestimate the storm."
In New York City, supermarket aisles are emptying as shoppers stock up on food and supplies ahead of the potentially record-breaking blizzard.
Blizzards occur whenever there is a lot of snow, winds of around 27kms/hour and low visibility for at least three hours.
The snow and wind can combine to create "whiteout" conditions — making it dangerous to drive and knocking down trees and power lines.
The NWS is blunt in its warnings: "Life-threatening conditions and extremely dangerous travel due to heavy snowfall and strong winds... with whiteout conditions. Secondary and tertiary roads may become impassable. Strong winds may down power lines and tree limbs."
Areas near the ocean could also see storm surges and coastal flooding.
The US Weather Channel referred to the cold blast as a "possibly historic" winter storm, as airlines cancelled more than 1800 flights early on Monday as the weather system neared, according to flightaware.com.
Some airlines waved change fees as major delays and widespread cancellations were anticipated.
"This system will be responsible for heavy snowfall and strong winds, with blizzard conditions possible along coastal areas from New Jersey to Massachusetts," the weather service said.
"Many of the major metropolitan areas will be affected anywhere from Philadelphia through New York City and into Boston."
Inundated ... a man walks through a blizzard in Scituate, Massachusetts on January 3. Picture: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer Source: Supplied
Prepared ... Irv Rosenberg uses cross country skis on the Esplanade in Boston on January 24. Picture: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer Source: AP
People were scrambling to pick up storm staples such as shovels, road salt and ice scrapers.
"With a major winter storm approaching the state, I urge New Yorkers to take all necessary precautions and make preparations for the possibility that commutes will be disrupted on Monday and Tuesday," Governor Andrew Cuomo said.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
‘Crippling’ storm to unleash on 58 million
Dengan url
https://duniadiggi.blogspot.com/2015/01/acripplinga-storm-to-unleash-on-58.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
‘Crippling’ storm to unleash on 58 million
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
‘Crippling’ storm to unleash on 58 million
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar