Snowstorm Hercules cancels hundreds of flights, Gov. Cuomo orders closure of LIE, major highways

The New York State Thruway and the Long Island Expressway will close from midnight Thursday until 5 a.m. as the forecast calls for a foot of snow in parts of Long Island along with a deep, blustery chill.

Comments (5) By Glenn Blain In Albany , Caitlin Nolan AND Larry Mcshane / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Thursday, January 2, 2014, 2:00 PM
Updated: Thursday, January 2, 2014, 8:59 PM



Ken Murray/New York Daily News / A runner enjoys the snowy evening in Prospect Park.

Gov. Cuomo imposed a state of emergency Thursday, ordering the shutdown of two major highways as a wicked winter storm bore down on New York.

The New York State Thruway and the Long Island Expressway will close from midnight Thursday until 5 a.m. Friday — and could remain shuttered even longer depending on the weather, the governor said.

“This is nothing to be trifled with,” Cuomo declared in a conference call with reporters. “We have learned too well over the past years the power of Mother Nature.”

The preventative measures came after the impending snowstorm canceled more than 500 flights at the three New York City area airports — and Mayor de Blasio braced for the potential first crisis of his administration.

The mayor, in a question-and-answer session with reporters, promised city officials had a “laser” focus on dealing with the storm expected to dump up to 8 wind-whipped inches of snow on the city over two days.

Long Island could receive up to a foot, while upstate could wind up with a 14-inch blanket of snow.

RELATED: NORTHEAST PREPARES TO GET SLAMMED BY SNOW

Ken Murray/New York Daily News / People are already out enjoying the snow as it quickly accumulates in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Wind gusts of up to 35 mph were predicted, and the wind chill was expected to hit 10 below 0 on Friday.

The heavy snowfall, which will accompany an arctic blast of single-digit temperatures, was due to pummel New York City, Long Island and the northern suburbs on Thursday night and Friday morning, the National Weather Service said.

Long Island Rail Road officials said via Twitter that service on the commuter line could be suspended on some branches if snow accumulations climbed above 10 inches. For now, service will run on a weekend schedule.

Metro-North commuters could face a difficult Friday morning trip, and the line will run a Saturday schedule beginning at midnight.

The governor advised people to stay home unless absolutely necessary.

“People should not be on the road unless they definitely need to be,” said Cuomo.

RELATED: DRIVER DIES IN CRASH ON SNOW-DUSTED LIE


Mike Groll/AP / Snow has already blanketed Albany, and severe weather is expected in the New York metro area until 1 p.m. on Friday.

De Blasio, who was up before dawn Thursday, was briefed by Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty in the hours before the first flakes were due to start falling.

“Would have been nice to have a calm first day,” the new mayor acknowledged on his first full day on the job.

There were 336 flights canceled Thursday at Newark Liberty International Airport, 129 at La Guardia Airport and another 46 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, said Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman.

The bistate agency had more than 200 pieces of equipment at its airports — including melting machines that can liquefy up to 500 tons of snow in 60 minutes.

First son Dante de Blasio fielded a couple of Twitter requests to lobby for a Friday snow day.

“I'll see what I can do!!” he replied.

RELATED: NEAR-BLIZZARD CONDITIONS, 9 INCHES OF SNOW EXPECTED IN NYC

Mike Groll/AP / A plan was put in place as of New Year’s Day to bring in workers on overtime in New York City if conditions warranted it.

His dad said at a news conference Thursday afternoon that a decision on school closings would be made Friday morning.

In the calm before the first snowstorm of the new year, John Portelli ran out to buy a new shovel and two bags of salt.
“You’ve got to be ready,” advised Portelli, 60, as he left the H. Brickman & Sons hardware store on First Ave. in Manhattan. “If I don’t use it today, I’ll use it for the next storm.”

The city began loading its 365 salt spreaders and prepping its snow plows on New Year’s Day. A plan was already in place to bring in workers on overtime if the storm warranted it.

The weather service has scheduled a winter storm warning to go from Thursday at 6 p.m. through Friday at 1 p.m. for “heavy snow, strong winds and dangerously cold wind chills.”

The city Department of Buildings warned property owners and contractors to properly secure buildings and construction sites — or face possible fines or a work stoppage.

Video at the Page Link:

Nam Y. Huh/AP / A Frontier airplane waits for passengers at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago as hundreds of flights in the New York City area are canceled ahead of Hercules.

City officials plan random spot-checks to insure compliance with the law.

Ruben Morales, the manager at H. Brickman, said storm-related supplies started flying off the shelves as soon as the doors opened.

“We’ve been selling shovels, hand warmers, weather stripping, windshield fluid, snow brushes, gloves — you name it,” said Morales, 60.

Others opted for sustenance over snow shovels.

Demry Reyes, 58, exited The Food Emporium near Union Square with a shopping cart full of food.

“I'm a personal shopper, and my boss — she said to get food for the storm,” said Reyes. “She lives down the road. Today we're getting more than normal. I bought water, juices and bread.”

With Pete Donohue and Jennifer Fermino

lmcshane@nydailynews.com

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.1564519