Winter Storm Jonas: NYC Travel Ban Lifted as Deadly Storm Passes

New York City is still recovering from the deadly Winter Storm Jonas, but most services have begun to resume, with an eye toward operating on a near-normal schedule for most train and bus service in the New York City area. 

According to the MTA, above ground subway service has been restored. Bus service throughout the city will operate "following a route by route assessment of road conditions."

Seven of the 12 branches of the Long Island Rail Road are expected to be fully operational by 5 a.m. Monday and Metro North Railroad, serving suburbs north of New York City, plans on running on a normal weekday schedule. 

“While the storm is over, there is still work to be done," said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a storm response update Sunday. "We urge all New Yorkers not to travel on our roads except when necessary, and to be extremely careful when driving. Our tireless sanitation workers are out in full force and we must give them space to clear the roads. If you go outside, use caution and stay alert for ice and cold temperatures."

“This was a truly historic storm, and while we have made good progress we are not done working yet,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a press release. “The travel ban has been lifted, but New Yorkers should still avoid unnecessary travel – please use caution, plan ahead and stay safe. I want to thank the incredible people who worked around the clock responding to this storm. Many of them are still out there trying to clear the tracks and get full service restored across our public transit systems. Whether it was our thousands of state and local workers shoveling snow or the individuals who checked on their neighbors and offered a helping hand, this was a great example of how New Yorkers come together in times of need.”​​

Flights began to leave out of New York-area airports Sunday afternoon. There were numerous cancellations of flights for Monday, with officials stressing that travellers should check in with their airline before traveling to the airport. 

Gov. Cuomo declared a state of emergency Saturday and issued a travel ban for the city starting at 2:30 p.m. which ended at 7 a.m. Sunday. The governor's order banned travel on roads in the city and elsewhere, with the NYPD saying they would arrest anyone who did not follow the ban. Port Authority bridges and tunnels were also closed from Saturday afternoon until they reopened Sunday morning.

Yesterday's ban also prompted The Broadway League to cancel all matinee and evening performances on Saturday.

"The safety and security of theatregoers and employees is everyone's primary concern," president Charlotte St. Martin said in a press release. "We expect normal operations to resume for tomorrow’s Sunday matinees.”

(Check Here for Your Forecast)

New York City/Long Island

Three people have died in New York City as a result of Winter Storm Jonas, WNBC reports.  All three deaths are from shoveling snow, according to the NYPD, two in Queens and one in Staten Island. Two more shoveling related deaths occurred on Long Island, according to the New York Times.

The storm nearly dropped a record-setting amount of snow in Central Park. The 26.8 inches measured came just short of the record set in 2006 when 26.9 inches fell in the park. LaGuardia Airport saw nearly 28 inches, while JFK Airport got over 30. Islip and parts of Long Island were hit with nearly two feet of snow.

Blizzard warnings were in effect for New York City and Long Island until Sunday morning, The National Weather Service reports. Gov. Cuomo lifted the travel ban in New York City at 7 a.m. Sunday. 

Before the ban was lifted, the NYPD issued 25 summonses to drivers who were still on the road. One man was also arrested for driving while intoxicated and running two red lights. 

According to the NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Public Information there were at least 200 crashes in the city between 8 a.m. and noon on Saturday. The New York City Emergency Management office cautioned residents of "flying debris" on Saturday morning with high gusts being reported "in excess of 40 miles per hour."

In addition to the travel ban and transit closures, alternate side parking was suspended on Saturday. 

“Saturday, I think I would say most likely Sunday as well, I think it’s going to be necessary for people to stay off the roads,” Mayor de Blasio told CBS New York. “Let our first responders; our emergency vehicles have the ability to move around. Let our sanitation plows do their work.”

Cuomo also announced the closure of all State Parks and Department of Environmental Conservation properties and facilities located within the impacted areas, including facilities in Suffolk, Nassau, New York City, Westchester, Rockland, Orange and Putnam Counties. 

On Saturday, most flights were cancelled at the three airports serving New York City.

New York Amtrak service is operating on a modified schedule with some routes cancelled over the weekend. Check here for the latest service alerts. 

Various sporting events were postponed, including the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders game at Barclays Center Saturday night. Citibike services remain shutdown indefinitely for New York City.

Numerous schools and colleges announced they would be closed on Saturday. For an updated list, click here.

New York State

In addition to New York City, Governor Cuomo announced a state of emergency in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange counties. 

“The winter storm is expected to have a significant impact with potentially hazardous conditions, and we are taking all necessary precautions to keep New Yorkers safe,” the governor said in a press release. “The state is working around the clock to monitor the storm and proactively deploy resources to communities as needed. We encourage New Yorkers in the downstate region to stay informed, plan ahead, and avoid any unnecessary travel as the storm progresses.”

Cuomo urged residents to take precautions and said that the state will deploy “nearly 600 plows and 150,000 tons of road salt,” as well as other resources.

To the north, Dutchess County will see much lower snow totals than New York City, but residents in Poughkeepsie are preparing nonetheless.

Numerous schools and businesses were closed Saturday, and Bob Cohn, a former Town of Poughkeepsie resident who happened to be back in town, bought 200 pounds of salt and an ice scraper for the car on Saturday.

"We've got to take care of our neighbors who can't shovel and can't do these things for themselves," Cohn told the Pughkeespie Journal. "Don't ask, just help if you see they're having trouble. When it gets cold like this, frostbite will start to set in fast. You've got to get someplace warm because you won't last very long out there."

Connecticut

Winter Storm Jonas pounded the southern part of Connecticut on Saturday, with Southern New Haven; southern Middlesex; southern New London counties getting around a foot of accumulation. 

In some areas, coastal flood watches or advisories are in effect throughout the weekend. 

Officials said most weekend flights from the Bradley International Airport in Hartford County should go as planned. "At this time, unless the storm tracks in a different way, we shouldn't have any impact to Dallas, Miami or Chicago out of Bradley," American Airlines spokesman Ross Feinstein told The Hartford Courant. Still, individuals with scheduled travel this weekend should check with airlines in advance of plans.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Winter Storm Jonas in Photos