Metro-North Service To Be Suspended Monday Due To Snowstorm

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — As Monday's blizzard continues to slam the region, with up to 2 feet of snow expected in some areas, Metro-North Railroad service is slated to end by mid-afternoon — and Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned that road closures could be coming soon.

"It is very dangerous out there and it's only going to get worse," Cuomo said. "Unless you are an essential worker, there is no reason to be out on the roads."

Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the Hudson Valley, Long Island and New York City Monday.

Due to severe weather, tandem and empty trailers are banned from Interstate 84 from the Pennsylvania state line to the Connecticut state line and the entire length of Interstate 684.

With road closings possible, he said, "If you leave the house you may not be able to get back."

According to Patrick Foye, chairman and CEO of the MTA, ridership was low across the system Monday. The last Metro-North trains to and from Grand Central Terminal will leave around 3 p.m., he said.

Riders should check here for info on scheduling.

The problem, Cuomo said, is with 12 to 18 inches of snow expected, and up to 30 inches in some areas of the state, the plows can't keep up. The duration of the storm also poses a problem, and may not end until Tuesday night in some areas.

All operations have been suspended at JFK due to an electrical issue related to the storm, officials said. All flights out of La Guardia have been suspended because of the storm.

"This is a dangerous, life-threatening situation," Cuomo said. "Expect closures. We don't want people stranded. It's going to get very bad, very quickly."

Addressing the pandemic, Cuomo said New York's positivity rate stood at 4.8 percent Monday and continued to decline; 141 deaths were reported Monday.

So far, 1.96 vaccinations have been administered. All vaccinations scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in state facilities have been postponed but will be rescheduled, Cuomo said.

Concerns remain about emerging new variants.

And, Cuomo said, distrust about the vaccination remains in both the Black and Brown communities, with a higher declination rate in hospitals by members of the Black community rate, he said. To that end, a new public awareness campaign is planned.

Written by Lisa Finn/Patch with additional reporting by Michael Woyton/Patch.