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27 January 2015 Last updated at 09:08 ET Share this page
New York snow: Mayor De Blasio defends Juno warnings
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New York City's mayor has responded to claims that officials overreacted to the threat posed by Winter Storm Juno, saying: "We dodged a bullet."
As New York awoke to a blanket of snow less deep than feared, forecasts were downgraded and a transport ban was lifted in the city.
But up to 60cm (24in) was still expected in places across New York state, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Some 60 million people may be affected.
Speaking to CNN, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said: "This is a better-safe-than-sorry scenario."
He added: "We did what was necessary to keep everyone safe."
Blizzard warnings have now been lifted in New York City and New Jersey, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday that the driving ban had been lifted in New York City.
On Monday an emergency was declared in a swathe of north-eastern states, and meteorologists predicted up to 90cm (36in) of snow. Officials later revised the snow forecasts but the emergencies remain in place.
Boston also imposed a travel ban, and subway systems in New York and Boston were suspended.
Heavy snow is still reported in Massachusetts, with reports of snow up to 25in deep in the town of Worcester. However, parts of eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey have been spared extreme snow.
Despite the easing in conditions, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the storm could still bring "crippling snowfall amounts and life-threatening blizzard conditions to much of the north-east".
In other developments:
'Matter of life and death' The NWS had previously warned that a "potentially historic blizzard" was approaching the north-east.
But the blizzard appeared less severe than expected on Tuesday morning, with snowfall levels ranging from 2.5cm (1in) in Washington DC to 38cm (15in) at New York State's Islip airport at 03:00 local time (08:00 GMT).
This could be one of the biggest storms in New York City's history, meteorologists warn
Boston is also forecast to receive some of the highest snowfalls
Thousands of flights have been cancelled
Meteorologists expect the snow and strong winds to continue throughout Tuesday, before weakening overnight.
"In areas close to the immediate coastline... hurricane force wind gusts to near 120km/h (75mph) will be possible," the NWS said.
At the scene: Nick Bryant, BBC News, New York
As the weather deteriorated, workers in New York left early and headed for the safety of home, heeding warnings from officials. The subway system has been shut down, for the first time because of snow.
Broadway shows were dark, the neon-lit avenues deserted. It gave a ghostly feel to a city that famously never sleeps.
The storm's effects are being felt way beyond Manhattan, from New Jersey to Maine. Coastal areas such as Cape Cod and Long Island could face flooding and power blackouts. Boston is also in its path.
The Governor of Massachusetts called it "a top five historic storm."
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned residents against violating the driving ban in 13 southern counties of the state.
"If you are in your car and you are on any road, town, village, city, it doesn't matter, after 11 o'clock [23:00 local time; 04:00 GMT], you will technically be committing a crime.
"It could be a matter of life and death so caution is required," the governor said.
Shovels are now in high demand in many shops across the affected region
There were nearly empty shelves in some shops, as residents stocked up on bread and other essentials
But some have just been enjoying the snow, bringing out their skis and sledges
Echoing his words, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to stay out of the way of the 2,300 snowploughs clearing city streets.
"You can't underestimate this storm. What you are going to see in a few hours in something that is going to hit very hard and very fast."
Similar bans for non-emergency vehicles were enacted in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Are you in the north-east USA? What preparations are you making for the blizzard? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number.
Or comment here.
Have your say
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions.
More on This Story
New York snow: Mayor De Blasio defends Juno warnings
Jump media player
Media player help
Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Residents have been stocking up on food and staying inside, as Gary O'Donoghue reports
Continue reading the main story Related Stories
- New York snowstorms of the past
- In pictures: Snow shuts down cities
- How US is reporting Winter Storm Juno Watch
New York City's mayor has responded to claims that officials overreacted to the threat posed by Winter Storm Juno, saying: "We dodged a bullet."
As New York awoke to a blanket of snow less deep than feared, forecasts were downgraded and a transport ban was lifted in the city.
But up to 60cm (24in) was still expected in places across New York state, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Some 60 million people may be affected.
Speaking to CNN, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said: "This is a better-safe-than-sorry scenario."
He added: "We did what was necessary to keep everyone safe."
Blizzard warnings have now been lifted in New York City and New Jersey, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday that the driving ban had been lifted in New York City.
On Monday an emergency was declared in a swathe of north-eastern states, and meteorologists predicted up to 90cm (36in) of snow. Officials later revised the snow forecasts but the emergencies remain in place.
Boston also imposed a travel ban, and subway systems in New York and Boston were suspended.
Heavy snow is still reported in Massachusetts, with reports of snow up to 25in deep in the town of Worcester. However, parts of eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey have been spared extreme snow.
Despite the easing in conditions, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the storm could still bring "crippling snowfall amounts and life-threatening blizzard conditions to much of the north-east".
In other developments:
- 6,500 flights in and out of airports along the East Coast have been cancelled
- Businesses and schools closed early on Monday
- Schools are not expected to reopen before Wednesday at the earliest
- Boston is expected to bear the brunt of the storm
'Matter of life and death' The NWS had previously warned that a "potentially historic blizzard" was approaching the north-east.
But the blizzard appeared less severe than expected on Tuesday morning, with snowfall levels ranging from 2.5cm (1in) in Washington DC to 38cm (15in) at New York State's Islip airport at 03:00 local time (08:00 GMT).
This could be one of the biggest storms in New York City's history, meteorologists warn Boston is also forecast to receive some of the highest snowfalls Thousands of flights have been cancelled Meteorologists expect the snow and strong winds to continue throughout Tuesday, before weakening overnight.
"In areas close to the immediate coastline... hurricane force wind gusts to near 120km/h (75mph) will be possible," the NWS said.
At the scene: Nick Bryant, BBC News, New York
As the weather deteriorated, workers in New York left early and headed for the safety of home, heeding warnings from officials. The subway system has been shut down, for the first time because of snow.
Broadway shows were dark, the neon-lit avenues deserted. It gave a ghostly feel to a city that famously never sleeps.
The storm's effects are being felt way beyond Manhattan, from New Jersey to Maine. Coastal areas such as Cape Cod and Long Island could face flooding and power blackouts. Boston is also in its path.
The Governor of Massachusetts called it "a top five historic storm."
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned residents against violating the driving ban in 13 southern counties of the state.
"If you are in your car and you are on any road, town, village, city, it doesn't matter, after 11 o'clock [23:00 local time; 04:00 GMT], you will technically be committing a crime.
"It could be a matter of life and death so caution is required," the governor said.
Shovels are now in high demand in many shops across the affected region There were nearly empty shelves in some shops, as residents stocked up on bread and other essentials But some have just been enjoying the snow, bringing out their skis and sledges Echoing his words, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to stay out of the way of the 2,300 snowploughs clearing city streets.
"You can't underestimate this storm. What you are going to see in a few hours in something that is going to hit very hard and very fast."
Similar bans for non-emergency vehicles were enacted in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Are you in the north-east USA? What preparations are you making for the blizzard? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number.
Or comment here.
Have your say
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions.