NYC Blizzard: Snowstorm Disrupts Trash Collection, Schools Reopen Tuesday

NYC Digs Out After Blizzard, Schools Reopen Tuesday Despite Concerns

New York City is slowly returning to normal after a powerful blizzard swept through the region, dumping as much as 19 inches of snow on some areas. While a citywide travel ban was lifted at noon on Monday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is urging residents to remain cautious and stay indoors as sanitation crews work to clear streets. Despite pushback from the teacher’s union, public schools are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday.

The storm, which battered the Tri-State area from Sunday into Monday afternoon, caused downed trees in neighborhoods including SoHo, Greenwich Village, Bushwick, and the Bronx. Thousands of customers in Far Rockaway, Queens, experienced power outages, and crews on Staten Island worked to free stranded city buses. As of noon Monday, approximately 657,000 people across the region, from Boston to Washington D.C., were without power, with at least 20,000 outages reported in New York City and Long Island.

Mayor Mamdani acknowledged the challenges posed by the storm, stating, “If you choose to drive, please exercise caution, travel slowly, and be mindful of others on the road. We continue to advise New Yorkers to stay safe and stay indoors as much as possible.” He announced the decision to reopen schools for in-person learning on Tuesday, adding with a touch of levity, “I hope students enjoy their snow day today, and stay warm and safe throughout, but I do have some tough news to share. School will be in-person tomorrow. You can still pelt me with snowballs when you see me.”

However, the reopening of schools is not without controversy. The teacher’s union has voiced concerns that returning to in-person classes so quickly after the blizzard could pose safety risks for educators. The union reportedly maintains that “no one should jeopardize their safety to report to work.”

Transportation services are gradually resuming. Subway and bus service in New York City were operating with few delays by early Monday afternoon, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Metro-North Railroad is running on a holiday schedule with weekend service on branch lines. Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit, however, remain suspended.

The city is also facing logistical challenges related to sanitation. Trash collection has been paused for both Monday and Tuesday, as resources are diverted to snow removal efforts. Updated trash and recycling schedules will be released on Tuesday. Residents are reminded that they are responsible for maintaining four-foot cleared paths on sidewalks.

All New York City public libraries are set to reopen on Tuesday. New York Public Library locations in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island will open at noon and close at their regularly scheduled times. The Brooklyn Public Library – Central Branch will open from 10 a.m. To 8 p.m., with all other branches opening from 1 p.m. To 8 p.m. Libraries in Queens, including Central and Flushing, will also open from 10 a.m. To 8 p.m.

The blizzard impacted a vast area, with snowfall ranging from 14 to 24 inches in some parts of the city. The storm affected more than 70 million Americans along the East Coast.