Clean-up Begins after Deadly Storm Hits East Coast
Don Talaga, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau
Posted at 01/26/16 10:54 AM
NEW YORK – Mammoth snowstorm Jonas left the East Coast with nearly 30 storm-related deaths, many of them died from car accidents due to slick roads while a handful died of heart attack while shoveling snow.
Thousands were left without power in the storm’s path and thousands of flights were canceled due to heavy snow fall. About 85 million people were affected by the record-breaking monster snow storm.
Winterstorm Jonas was the second biggest snowfall in New York history with 26.8 inches of snow, just .01 shy of the 2006 record.
Meanwhile, snow plowers worked non-stop to clear out tons of snow, all day Sunday. Even though public transportation is now operational after the travel ban was lifted Sunday morning, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to stay off the roads.
“We need people off the streets for their own safety. We need people off the streets for the safety of others. We need them off the streets so that sanitation can clear streets. We need you off the streets so our first-responders have the freedom to get to emergencies,” the mayor said.
But that did not stop hundreds of New Yorkers and tourists to troop to Central Park. From snowball fights to sledding, Central Park turned into a winter wonderland.
“The snow is just like pure, perfect, it’s clean, as I said, and all the slopes, you don’t have to go to Aspen. Perfect weather, not so cold, you still have green trees, beautiful people, everybody’s all dressed up for a winter wonderland,” said New York resident Melissa Alviar.
Some East Coast airports have reopened, but according to city officials, it’s going to take some time before New York City and many other cities on the East Coast get back to normal.