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Blizzard Shutters Schools, Roads and Businesses in Northeast

A blizzard dropped more than a foot (30 cm) of snow across the northeastern United States on Tuesday, falling short of the massive predicted snowfall that prompted officials across the region to close schools and order travel bans.

A blizzard dropped more than a foot (30 cm) of snow across the northeastern United States on Tuesday, falling short of the massive predicted snowfall that prompted officials across the region to close schools and order travel bans.

 

High winds and heavy snow were set to persist throughout the day, with another foot forecast to fall in parts of Boston. Wind-driven seas caused flooding along some low-lying roadways in coastal Massachusetts, state police said.

 

The heaviest snowfall was recorded in parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts, while New York City's Central Park saw just 6 inches (15 cm), less than a quarter of the "historic" snowfall that some meteorologists had predicted.

 

"When you hear the word 'crippling' and you look out your window this morning, it is not there," said John Davitt, a meteorologist on New York's NY1 news channel.

 

Travel was still snarled, with more than 4,500 flights canceled at U.S. airports, according to FlightAware.com, and no trains or buses in New York, Boston or New Jersey.

 

Forecasts for as much as 3 feet (90 cm) of snow had prompted governors in eight East Coast states to declare states of emergency and the storm affected up to 60 million people in nearly a dozen states.

 

Residents largely obeyed orders to stay off roadways and broadcasters in New York and Boston showed roads largely free of cars early on Tuesday.

 

Sustained winds in the area might hit 40 miles per hour (64 kph), though gusts as high as 78 mph (126 kph) were recorded on the island of Nantucket, off Massachusetts.

 

Travel bans remained in place on roads in southern New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

 

"It could be a matter of life and death so caution is required," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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