Millions in US hunker down as north-east storm downgraded

Residents in Boston walk to work early on January 27, 2015 as New England braced for a blizzard following government warnings. Steven Senne/AP Photo

NEW YORK // Tens of millions of people along the East Coast hunkered down for a storm that for most failed to live up to predictions that it would be one of the worst they had ever seen.

Forecasters originally said the storm could bring up to 90 centimeters of snow and punishing hurricane-force winds.

But by early Tuesday, they downgraded most of those numbers and blanket driving bans were lifted, with limited New York public transport reopened.

The National Weather Service over the weekend had issued a blizzard warning for a 400-kilometre swath of the region, which meant heavy, blowing snow and potential whiteout conditions.

On Monday, life abruptly stopped across the region as officials ordered workers to go home early, banned travel, closed bridges and tunnels, and assembled their biggest plowing crews.

“When you wake up in the morning, it is going to look like a blizzard,” said Massachusetts Gov Charlie Baker, echoing the concern of many government leaders.

Light snow fell steadily early Tuesday in midtown Manhattan as a few municipal trucks rumbled down empty streets. The city had an almost eerie, post 9/11 feel to it: No airplanes in the sky. An unexpected quiet.

More than 7,700 flights in and out of the Northeast were cancelled, and many of them may not take off again until Wednesday.

Schools and businesses let out early. Government offices closed. Shoppers stocking up on food jammed supermarkets and elbowed one another for what was left. Broadway stages went dark.

Mayor Bill de Blasio urged New Yorkers to go home and stay there.

Commuters like Sameer Navi, 27, of Long Island, said he takes the Long Island Rail Road every day and left work early Monday after warnings by local officials. “I did leave earlier than usual,” he said.

Earlier, Nicole Coelho, a nanny from New Jersey, stocked up food supplies at a supermarket.

“I’m going to make sure to charge up my cellphone, and I have a good book I haven’t gotten around to reading yet,” she said.

Ben Shickel went grocery shopping in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and found shelves had been cleaned out.

On Wall Street, however, the New York Stock Exchange stayed open and said it would operate normally Tuesday as well.

* Associated Press