Unprecedented Northeast Transit Shutdown as Sandy Approaches

Mathis writes that Sandy has "been called the largest tropical cyclone ever" and cities are not sparing any precautions.

The mid-Atlantic cities had shut down their transit agencies by 10pm, Sunday, Oct. 28., "marking the first time in U.S. history such widespread public transportation service suspensions have been announced before the serious part of a storm has even begun."

Note the photos of the vacant Grand Central Terminal in mid-town Manhattan and Times Square subway station on the eve of the approaching storm.

"The closures don't stop with transit. School districts from Virginia to Boston have cancelled classes. The federal government in Washington is closed. The New York Stock Exchange will take a rare day off from trading after Mayor Michael Bloomberg imposed mandatory evacuation zones on parts of Lower Manhattan and Staten Island."

The New York Times reported Monday morning that "New York went into emergency mode, ordering the evacuations of more than 370,000 people in low-lying communities from Coney Island in Brooklyn to Battery Park City in Manhattan "

New York City last shut-down its subway on Aut. 27, 2011 in advance of Hurricane Irene. As Planetizen noted, most lines, including commuter railroads restored service by August 29. Among the last to restore service were branches of Metro-North Railroad and New Jersey Transit.

Thanks to The Atlantic Cities