By early Sunday evening, the warnings had turned real. Forecasters were predicting as much as two feet of snow in parts of the city, with the worst of the blizzard expected to arrive after 6pm. The National Weather Service cautioned against “dangerous to impossible travel,” and Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency, ordering a travel ban on most vehicles from 9pm Sunday through noon Monday.
The snow gathers pace on 9th Avenue at W48th Street early on Sunday evening. Photo: Robin Riley
Cars, commercial trucks and e-bikes were told to stay off city streets, Citi Bike was set to shut down, and alternate side parking was suspended. City officials urged New Yorkers to comply — and to avoid ordering delivery — arguing that hazardous conditions put delivery workers, drivers and restaurant staff at risk.
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Publisher & Editor Phil O’Brien is an entrepreneur and journalist. As an international photojournalist, he photographed Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Princess Diana and many others. He built a successful international sports photography agency, EMPICS, that was Getty Images’ major competitor in Europe when it sold. He founded a children’s charity in the UK that has helped young people through sport for over 15 years. Phil has lived in New York since 2012. He founded W42ST in 2014.