Via The New York Times: New York Plans to Suspend Transit Service. Excerpt:
As the National Hurricane Center warned that Hurricane Sandy could bring “life-threatening” flooding along the Atlantic coast, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said that subway, bus, and railroad service in New York would be suspended beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday.
In addition, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York ordered evacuations of some low-lying areas of the city because of a higher storm surge. Noting that it was unsafe to operate trains in high winds, Mr. Cuomo said the shutdown was also intended as a signal to discourage New York-area residents from being “up and about.”
Joseph J. Lhota, the chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said he expected the transit systems to restore at least some service about 12 hours after the storm ends, but warned that the city could be without transit for as many as two full work days. “I do think Monday and Tuesday are going to be difficult days,” Mr. Lhota said.
The National Hurricane Center warned of a “life-threatening storm surge” that could cause record-breaking coastal flooding from Delaware to Southern New England.
In its latest report, the hurricane center said it expected a surge of as much as 11 feet along Long Island Sound and Raritan Bay — significantly higher than previous forecasts — and warned that major flooding could occur across a broad swatch of the East Coast. In addition to surge, forecasters expected torrential rains in some regions, which would add to the flooding problems.
That higher surge was one primary reason that Mr. Bloomberg ordered mandatory evacuations of areas of the city from City Island to Coney Island to Battery Park City. New York areas of the city from City Island to Coney Island to Battery Park City. Public schools were also ordered closed on Monday
