US News

Snow, sleet engulf NYC as salt supply runs low

Heavy snow and icy rain caused mayhem for New Yorkers on Wednesday as Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency with the state running low on salt.

Transit delays, falling ice, dangerous roads and slushy sidewalks have hampered the morning commute for millions across New York.

Cuomo ordered a total of 3,500 tons of salt to be trucked to Long Island and New York City. “This is a significant winter storm impacting all regions of the state and we are taking all necessary steps to keep New Yorkers safe,” he said.

Drivers were ordered to stay off the road with I-84 shut down until further notice as the Transport Department clears snow and ice from the road.

Trains and buses were delayed as a power failure affected signals for the 1,2,3 subway lines for two hours, while a track fire shut down the 7 line between 9:15 and 10:45 a.m.

Commuters going to and from New Jersey were also forced to stay put with the Northeast Corridor and New Jersey Coast lines stalled for over two hours due to ice buildup on overhead wires.

At 12:30 pm, there were more than 1200 flight cancellations, according to Flightaware.com. 521 flights were cancelled going in and out of Newark, 461 at LaGuardia and 286 at JFK.

Meanwhile, a man had a lucky escape in Midtown West after a large amount of snow fell on him outside the H&M store on Lexington Avenue and East 59th Street, according to authorities.

The man was working outside at the loading dock when he was hit by the falling snow around 9:34 a.m.,taking witnesses by surprise.

“I was surprised,” said Ibrahim Fereig. “The guy was walking and a big piece of ice fell down, and he slipped on the ice.”

“He was just on the floor, just laying there, and then the ambulance came and got him,” added a H&M employee.

He was rushed to the Cornell Medical Center with serious, but not life threatening injuries.