Feb 24 • 07:59 UTC 🌍 Africa Africanews

New York buried in nearly 60 centimetres of snow as Manhattan falls silent

New York City experienced its largest snowfall in over a decade, as nearly 60 centimeters of snow blanketed the area, prompting a travel ban and school closures.

New York City was recently blanketed by nearly 60 centimeters of snow, marking the largest snowfall in over a decade, particularly impacting areas like Central Park. The snow caused widespread disruptions, including school closures and a travel ban that kept most vehicles off the roads—though emergency services continued to operate gradually, using vehicles equipped with snow chains. The winter weather led to iconic scenes of families engaging in traditional snow day activities, such as sledding and snowman building, while some took to skiing down the empty city streets.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported no outdoor deaths among the city's homeless population, attributing this success to increased emergency outreach efforts and additional shelter capacity during the harsh weather conditions. As New Yorkers braced for the impact of the storm, the noise of the city lay hushed, even in bustling areas like Times Square, which felt unusually quiet under the snow's weight. Residents were cautioned that as temperatures began to rise, the melting snow could create hazardous icy patches, prompting many to grab shovels to clear their pathways and reduce risks of slipping.

The massive snowfall serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by extreme weather events, particularly as cities face more frequent severe winter conditions in recent years. It underscores the importance of preparedness and community support systems in ensuring public safety during such events, highlighting both the beauty and the difficulties that winter storms bring to urban environments like New York City.

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