NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A winter storm has moved into the tristate area and when all is said and done, it could drop a foot of snow in some places, including the five boroughs.
Here's how New York, New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester and Connecticut have prepared for what Mayor Bill de Blasio said is expected to be a "disruptive" storm:
New York City
• JFK and La Guardia airports have advised travelers to contact their airlines for their flight statuses before arrival.
• NYC Ferry will suspend service at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. The Staten Island Ferry, meanwhile, started operating on a modified schedule Wednesday afternoon.
• New York City public schools have canceled in-person classes on Thursday, de Blasio announced on Twitter Wednesday afternoon.
"School buildings will be closed tomorrow," he wrote. "That means in-person Learning Labs and Learning Bridges will be canceled too, as will in-school COVID-19 testing and our free meal services for tomorrow."
• Citi Bike will temporarily shut its system down at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Users will not be able to rent bikes after that time, but will be able to return them.
• The MTA implemented a ban on empty and tandem tractor trailers starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
• New York City's Office of Emergency Management has issued a hazardous travel advisory for both Wednesday and Thursday. Alternate side parking is suspended on both days, de Blasio said.
• The city's Department of Sanitation started applying "anti-icing treatments" to roads and highway ramps Wednesday morning. The Office of Emergency Management, meanwhile, placed its "Downed Tree Task Force" on alert. New Yorkers can visit the NotifyNYC website or call 311 for the latest updates on the storm.
Long Island
• The LIRR will operate on an "enhanced weekend schedule" on Thursday.
• Nassau County and Suffolk County police have advised Long Island residents to avoid traveling. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran also advised business owners not to shovel snow into the road.
Ready for the snow? The #NassauCountyPD is, and we're expecting the storm to hit around rush hour. Road conditions will be dangerous, so please avoid traveling if you can. Here are some phone numbers if you need help. As always, for emergencies, call 911. Stay safe (and warm!)❄️ pic.twitter.com/WRcEIr6fAR
— NCPD (@NassauCountyPD) December 16, 2020
• Sanitation crews on Long Island have been working to keep snow off of the Long Island Expressway.
New Jersey
• The speed limit on the New Jersey Turnpike has been reduced to 45 mph between the Delaware Memorial Bridge and Interchange 8A.
• Newark Airport has advised travelers to contact their airlines for flight information before arrival.
• NJ Transit will suspend New York City and Trenton-area bus service starting at 6 p.m. Rail service will be suspended systemwide at 7:30 p.m.
• New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, while noting that state agencies were "ready to respond" to severe weather conditions.
Connecticut/Westchester
• Bee-Line and ParaTransit buses will suspend service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Westchester County said. All routes will then remain suspended until further notice.
• Metro-North is implementing an "early shutdown of its services," the agency said Wednesday.
• Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont directed the state's "Severe Cold Weather Protocol" to be activated starting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Connecticut residents who need shelter from the storm can call 2-1-1 to be connected to services, he said.
