New updated blizzard warnings for New York City, southern New York State and Massachusetts warn of greater amounts of snow than earlier reported. The updates, which were released early Friday afternoon, remain in effect until 1 p.m. EST on Saturday throughout the Northeast. Governors in several states have also instituted state of emergencies.
In New England, the National Weather Service's blizzard warning was expanded to include southeastern New Hampshire, along with eastern and southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including Block Island. Snow accumulation continues to be around two feet, with the "strongest winds and heaviest of snow anticipated by the evening commute into Saturday, especially focused along the I-95 corridor," the blizzard warning stated. According to Weather.com, Boston is expected to receive up to 30 inches of snowfall.
On Friday, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency and announced a travel ban for all state roads starting at 4 p.m. Friday. According to CBS News, the ban will make exceptions for emergency workers, those who work in hospitals and in the media and anyone required to be at their jobs. Patrick did not specify when the driving ban would be lifted.
Anyone caught on the road without an exemption can be fined up to $500 to sent to a year in jail, CBS reported. Massachusetts' public transportation system, the MBTA, also closed down early, shutting service at 3:30 p.m.
Connecticut Governor Daniel Malloy also declared a state of emergency and issued a travel ban for all state roads beginning at 4 p.m. Friday, the Hartford Courant reported. Like the travel ban in Massachusetts, the Connecticut travel ban had some exceptions. In Maine, Gov. Paul LePage announced that he had signed a limited Emergency Declaration ahead of the storm, which waives federal Department of Transportation rules and allows crews to work more hours, and Canadian crews to come in to help, if necessary, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network reported.
In New York, the updated blizzard warning stated that the region could be hit with up to 20 inches of snow. The warning added that "localized higher amounts within intense snow bands, mainly across eastern Suffolk" are expected. Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency although no driving ban has been issued.
Gov. Cuomo said that the winter storm won't be nearly as bad as Superstorm Sandy, the Wall Street Journal reported. However, the declaration will allow the government more flexibility in dealing with snow and ice.
Travelers are warned in all areas hit to proceed with caution. On Long Island, "Heavy snow and winds will make for dangerous driving conditions with visibilities near zero in white-out conditions," the NWS warned.
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