Northeast US Battles Snow Piles as Fresh Winter Storm Approaches
The Northeast United States is in a frantic race against time to clear towering heaps of snow left by a gigantic storm this week, as a new weather system descends on the region. From Maryland to Maine, cities are deploying emergency measures, with New York City spreading millions of pounds of salt and Boston officials tackling sidewalks coated in packed snow that hinder accessibility for wheelchair users.
Emergency Efforts and Accessibility Challenges
By Tuesday evening, New York City had distributed 143 million pounds of salt and recruited over 3,500 emergency shovelers at $30 per hour to clear public streets and bus stops. However, with another storm forecast for Wednesday, the work is far from complete, particularly for people with disabilities. Jeff Peters, spokesperson for the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York, described parts of the city as "impassable islands," with narrow pathways and glacier-like piles at corners blocking strollers, walkers, and crutches.
Tina Guenette, a Harrisville, Rhode Island resident who uses a motorized wheelchair, had to shovel her yard after more than 33 inches of snow fell, highlighting the lack of volunteers in local snow-shoveling programs. The storm has left cities scrambling, with workers in Rhode Island clearing paths for emergency vehicles and New York using warm water to melt ice.
Impact of the Historic Storm
Monday's storm, described by the National Weather Service as a "classic bomb cyclone/nor'easter," blanketed the region with snow, canceling flights, disrupting transit, downing power lines, and claiming at least one life. In Rhode Island, over 3 feet of snow fell, surpassing totals from the historic Blizzard of 1978. Meteorologist Ryan Maue noted that if all snow from Maryland to Maine fell on Manhattan, it would tower over a mile high.
The storm's aftermath saw tragic consequences, such as the death of Joseph Boutros, a 21-year-old student in Newport, Rhode Island, from carbon monoxide poisoning in a snow-covered vehicle. Power outages affected hundreds of thousands in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, and Rhode Island, with about 173,000 customers in Massachusetts still without electricity early Wednesday.
Ongoing Disruptions and Recovery
Transportation chaos ensued, with thousands of flights canceled in recent days, though disruptions eased to around 150 grounded flights by Wednesday. Jamie Meyers, a Manhattan resident, experienced significant delays returning from Buenos Aires, with relieved passengers applauding upon landing. Some school districts, like Philadelphia, resumed in-person classes after online learning earlier in the week, while New York City's 900,000 students navigated snowy commutes.
The National Weather Service warns that a new clipper storm from the Great Lakes could bring rain and light snow to the Northeast on Wednesday, potentially causing slick roads and black ice. NYC Emergency Management has alerted commuters to these hazards, as cities continue their desperate cleanup efforts amid freezing temperatures.
