High winds from the nor'easter pose biggest storm threat to MTA, officials say - New York News Beep

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — As the nor’easter approaches the region, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials say high winds, rather than flooding, are expected to pose the greatest threat to the city’s transit system.

For much of the summer, flash flooding was the major concern for New York City’s vast mass transit network. However, officials said the forecast now points to sustained high winds over a 48-hour period as the primary challenge.

“We have areas throughout the system, the subway system, where you’re in an open cut, a depressed area, and that there are trees right next to it. And frequently, those trees are old, and they’re knocked down by the wind. That is the the biggest single concern that I see right now,” MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said.

The MTA plans to keep trains and buses operating throughout the storm, although service suspensions remain a possibility. Officials said the agency has stockpiled generators and other equipment and has pre-positioned resources ahead of the storm.

“Crews are being deployed at strategic locations across the entire MTA regional network, so they can respond quickly if and when there are any conditions, like downed trees,” Lieber said. “This is, you know, a constant concern. We have debris trains, trucks, chainsaws ready to go. So, if and when that happens, we will be ready to deal with it promptly and effectively.”

Saturday’s Global Citizen Festival has been canceled due to the extreme weather forecast.

Organizers said that, with the potentially dangerous conditions, it cannot safely bring tens of thousands of Global Citizens, artists, crew, vendors and staff onto the Great Lawn.

“The Central Park Conservancy supports the decision made by our partners to cancel this year’s Global Citizen festival out of concern for the safety and well-being of attendees and the Park itself. We will coordinate with NYC Parks and Global Citizen to reopen the Great Lawn as soon as possible,” a spokesperson for the Central Park Conservancy said in a statement.

Organizers said refunds will be processed automatically.

City officials are also focused on potential hazards at construction sites as strong winds are expected. In a city where high-rise construction remains widespread, work crews have been ordered to secure loose equipment on buildings.

“We look at the hazards, and we focus to coordinate and get it through, but we will be working all weekend. We’re always concerned. We always want to mitigate the impacts. we feel prepared. we appreciate all the actions that the community is taking to do this along with us,” said Christina Farrell, commissioner of New York City Emergency Management.

Officials said they will continue monitoring conditions throughout the weekend while transit crews and emergency personnel remain positioned to respond to any storm-related impacts.

Mayor Mamdani released a video urging New Yorkers to stay home during the storm.

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