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Residents, local government employees, and a formidable snow-clearing machine, affectionately dubbed “Darth Vader,” are working tirelessly to dig out from under a harsh storm that meteorologists are labeling as the most powerful in a decade. This fierce weather system blanketed much of the northeastern United States with over two feet of snow, while Warwick, Rhode Island, set a new record with three feet of accumulation.
The storm’s impact was widespread, leading to the cancellation of thousands of flights and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. As the region begins to recover, with roads reopening and public transportation resuming, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced that schools will reopen on Tuesday. However, meteorologists caution that another significant winter storm could be looming on the horizon.
NYPD officers were pelted with snowballs in Washington Square Park
In the heart of New York City, a massive snowball fight broke out in Washington Square Park as the blizzard’s intensity began to wane, providing a moment of levity amidst the chaos.
However, not all encounters were lighthearted. A viral video captured the scene of two heavily outnumbered police officers being bombarded with snowballs. In their frustration, the officers were seen pushing some of the individuals responsible as they attempted to extricate themselves from the situation.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the incident on social media, condemning the actions as “disgraceful” and “criminal,” and confirming that the NYPD is investigating the matter.
New York City schools are scheduled to be back in person
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that schools would be back in person on Tuesday, drawing questions about how feasible that is with snow still piled along sidewalks.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said schools should remain closed, while Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, described the situation as “a big mess.”
“There’s going to be low attendance of students, you’re going to have low attendance of staff because people don’t know if they can travel, if they can get to schools,” he said.
Mamdani’s schools chief, Chancellor Kamar Samuels, said in a post on X, “We are confident in our decision to reopen.”