New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has imposed sweeping travel restrictions across the nation’s largest city as a powerful and historic blizzard approaches the region. Travel throughout the five boroughs has been largely banned from 9 p.m. Sunday until noon Monday, underscoring the severity of the storm and the risks it poses to residents.
Classes in the city’s public schools have been canceled for Monday, and unlike the previous storm, there will be no remote learning. Mamdani described it as a “full, classic snow day,” signaling a shift from January’s decision that required students to log in virtually — a move that had drawn criticism from some families who struggled with online instruction.
This is the second major snowstorm the 34-year-old mayor has faced since taking office on New Year’s Day. His handling of the crisis is being closely monitored, especially after at least 18 people lost their lives during January’s storm and subsequent cold wave.
The mayor announced the school closure in a lighthearted way, sharing a screen recording of a FaceTime call with a student named Victoria. In the video, he wished her well, encouraged her to stay indoors during the worst of the storm, and told her she could enjoy sledding once conditions improved. The student responded with excitement at the news of a snow day.
Beyond schools, other nonessential city offices and public services, including libraries, will remain closed. Transportation services are also being disrupted. The Staten Island Ferry will suspend operations starting at 5 p.m. Sunday and is expected to resume late Monday morning, weather permitting.
City officials have declared a state of emergency and mobilized significant resources. More than 2,000 snow plows are prepared to begin clearing streets once snowfall reaches two inches. Over 2,600 sanitation workers will operate on 12-hour shifts to ensure roads are treated and passable as quickly as possible.
A key component of the city’s response focuses on protecting vulnerable populations, particularly homeless residents, who accounted for many of the fatalities during the last severe winter event. The administration has expanded its Code Blue measures, increasing the number of warming centers and keeping overdose prevention facilities open overnight.
On Saturday alone, 84 individuals were relocated into shelters. Reports made to the city’s 311 hotline regarding people exposed to the cold outdoors will be redirected to 911 to ensure faster emergency intervention.
Although the administration had recently announced the resumption of homeless encampment sweeps, the mayor confirmed that no cleanups will take place during the storm. He emphasized that the immediate priority is safeguarding lives rather than focusing on infrastructure enforcement.
Throughout the crisis, Mamdani has maintained an active presence on television and social media, using both platforms to keep New Yorkers informed and urge them to remain indoors and prioritize safety as the blizzard unfolds.
