NEW YORK—As Hurricane Sandy continues to track northward along the East Coast in the Atlantic, officials in New York City are gearing up to protect the city from potential flooding and high winds.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo updated the city and state Sunday morning with the announcement that most public transportation, including subways and commuter rails, will begin to shut down at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.
“The transportation system is the lifeblood of the New York City region, and suspending all service is not a step I take lightly,” Cuomo said in a statement. “But keeping New Yorkers safe is the first priority, and the best way to do that is to make sure they are out of harm’s way before gale-force winds can start wreaking havoc on trains and buses.”
Buses will begin shutting down at 9 p.m. Service will be gradually curtailed and totally shut down by 3 a.m. on Monday morning.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), rain is not expected to begin in New York City until after 11 a.m. on Sunday, with heavier rain not expected until Sunday night into Monday. While the storm may not hit New York City directly, the heavy rain will likely bring flooding to low lying areas.
