VIDEO New York paralyzed by the blizzard of the decade: Authorities banned the movement of cars, schools were closed and thousands of flights were canceled
Struck by a violent snowstorm, New York is paralyzed: the authorities have banned traffic in the most populous city in the United States and have mobilized important resources to deal with major disruptions, reports France Presse.
“New York City hasn't seen a storm of this magnitude in a decade,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned at a news conference Sunday, ahead of the blizzard that has already caused thousands of flight cancellations and major power outages across the northeastern United States.
Blizzard warnings have been issued for regions with a total population of 40 million, but concern is particularly high in New York, where up to 70 centimeters of snow is expected in the coming hours, with freezing winds gusting up to 80 km/h.
The metropolis with eight million inhabitants, already covered by a thin layer of snow on Sunday evening, decreed a state of emergency and a traffic ban, which came into force on Sunday at 21:00 (Monday, 04:00 in Romania) and will be valid until noon on Monday (19:00 in Romania).
New York restricts travel to emergencies as major winter storm nears: 'The worst is still ahead'
A powerful snowstorm is set to slam the US East Coast, putting 54 million people in its path a month after a deadly storm killed more than 100; states declared emergencies, thousands… pic.twitter.com/EhP73X4rPk
— Ynet Global (@ynetnews) February 23, 2026
This applies to most means of transport, from personal cars to commercial vehicles and e-bikes. It does not apply to essential workers and residents who must travel for emergencies.
Buses, whose wheels have been fitted with chains, can continue to run and food deliveries remain authorized, although discouraged.
Blizzard life ❄️❄️❄️ New York City pic.twitter.com/0rTH6JTvuI
— New York City Kopp (@NYCkopp) February 23, 2026
Schools closed, thousands of flights cancelled
It is the second major winter episode the Democratic mayor has faced since taking office earlier this year. In late January, a long cold spell caused at least 18 deaths in the city, most of them from hypothermia.
In total, this winter storm has caused at least 100 deaths in the country, according to authorities.
Zohran Mamdani announced the mobilization of important resources to help people in need of shelter.
Schools will remain closed on Monday, including for distance learning, a first in seven years.
“And the parents who have to go to work? It's unfair,” Brooklyn resident Brandon Smith told AFP. He expressed concern about the difficulties those who cannot work from home will face.
The United Nations headquarters in Manhattan will also be closed on Monday and “all scheduled meetings will be postponed,” according to an internal statement.
In total, in New York state, thousands of snow plows are mobilized, as well as a hundred members of the National Guard.
The metropolis of New York will not be the only one affected, with a large part of the northeast coast being on alert.
In Boston, where up to 2 feet of snow is expected, schools will be closed on Monday ahead of a storm that is “proposed to be of historic magnitude,” Mayor Michelle Wu warned.
Across the Northeast, authorities have warned of possible power outages and major road traffic disruptions.
More than 8,500 flights were canceled on Sunday and Monday, according to the specialized website FlightAware, with New York airports being the most affected by these cancellations.
Tens of thousands of homes were left without power overnight, including more than 40,000 in the state of New Jersey, which neighbors New York.
