WEATHER ALERT: SNOW EMERGENCY ISSUED FOR BOSTON

Weather Alert: Snow Emergency Issued for Boston

Snow Emergency Issued for Boston as Winter Storm Niko Blasts Into New England

Winter Storm Niko continues to lash the Northeast with heavy snow, high winds and, in some areas, blizzard conditions, making travel treacherous, if not impossible in Boston and New York City. A blizzard warning has been issued for Boston and all of eastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, as well as parts of Rhode Island, including Providence, much of Long Island in New York, and southeastern Connecticut.

Winter storm warnings stretch from Maine southward through New England, eastern New York and into eastern New Jersey. This includes Boston, Providence, Hartford and New York City.

We’ve seen numerous reports of thunders now in at least four states, including around Hartford, Connecticut, on New York’s Long Island, in Rhode Island and in Massachusetts, including at the National Weather Service office in Boston.

Snowfall rates have been extreme at times, ranging from 1 to 4 inches per hour.

New York City’s La Guardia Airport saw three inches of snow per hour for two straight hours 8-10 a.m. EST.  Islip, New York, saw two- to three-inch per hour snowfall rates from 9 a.m. to noon EST. Officials in Boston declared snow emergency Wednesday.  Philadelphia authorities also declared an emergency Wednesday, but it was lifted Thursday afternoon.

New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio is urging city residents not to venture out into the streets if at all possible. Governors in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts are also urging people to stay off the roads, the Associated Press reports, to keep them clear for plows and emergency vehicles. Nearly 4,000 flights were canceled nationwide because of the storm as of Thursday, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.com. The cancellations include at least 380 flights going in and out of LaGuardia and 376 flights at Newark. Boston Logan International saw 351 cancellations.

We recognize the severe impact that current conditions are having on our customers and we are committed to restoring service levels as quickly as possible. As a result these weather issues, the ALG Client Service Team will send daily updates as we monitor the storm’s progress and track job level impact.

A large winter storm delivered snow and ice to the Northeast resulting in hazardous travel conditions.

Freight scheduled for pickup or delivery today or that is traveling through these areas may be delayed.

The following locations are closed today; no pickup and delivery service is available:

�         Connecticut – Bridgeport, Hartford

�         New Jersey – Rockaway, Carlstadt, East Brunswick, Newark

�         New York – Albany, Brooklyn/Queens, Elmsford, Syosset, Long Island, Newburgh

�         Pennsylvania – Wilkes Barre

The following locations are open today but operating on a limited basis:

�         Maine – Portland, Bangor

�         Massachusetts – South Boston, North Boston, Worcester, Springfield

�         New Hampshire – Manchester

�         New Jersey – Trenton, Cinnaminson

�         New York – Binghamton

�         Pennsylvania – Allentown, Milton, Philadelphia, West Chester

�         Rhode Island – Providence

�         Vermont – St. Johnsbury, Bellows Falls

Our Operations team is poised to resume normal operations as soon as conditions clear and roads are safe for travel. We will continue to post updates as conditions change. If you need to schedule a pickup or delivery, please contact your local service center.