NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Implements Citywide Travel Ban Before Major US Storm

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the closure of the city’s entire traffic system on Sunday, restricting all but emergency travel ahead of an approaching major snowstorm expected to impact the Northeast US.

Tens of millions across the country, from Washington, D.C., to Maine, prepared for the storm, with some regions forecasting up to two feet (60 centimeters) of snow. The National Weather Service warned that blizzard conditions would develop rapidly from Maryland up through southeastern New England, making travel extremely dangerous. Snow may fall at a rate of two to three inches per hour during the storm’s peak, affecting nearly 54 million residents along its path. Heavy snow and gusty winds are likely to cause power outages.

In New York, which is home to over eight million people, Mamdani stated that streets, highways, and bridges would be shut down from 9 p.m. Sunday until noon on Monday. He emphasized that this was the most significant storm the city has faced in a decade and urged residents to avoid all non-essential travel. Essential workers and emergency-related travel will still be permitted.

In neighboring New Jersey, Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency starting midday Sunday to expedite response efforts and allocate resources efficiently. Boston’s mayor, Michelle Wu, announced that all public schools and city buildings would be closed on Monday, urging residents to plan ahead and stay safe. The National Weather Service also warned of potential moderate to major coastal flooding along waterfront roads and properties from Delaware to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

This storm follows a recent severe weather event that caused over 100 fatalities in the region. Governor Hochul of New York advised residents that the worst was still ahead and urged them to stock up on essentials like groceries, medicines, and pet food immediately. She recommended that people prepare to stay indoors, watch more Olympics, read, catch up on news, and call family members—especially mothers—to stay connected during the storm.