New York orders massive evacuation ahead of superstorm

Residents of Long Beach prepare as Hurricane Sandy approaches on October 28, 2012 in Long Beach, New York (Getty Images/AFP)

Construction workers cover air vents that could cause the New York subway system to flood in preperation for Hurricane Sandy on October 28, 2012 in New York, United States. The MTA has announced that at 7:00 PM EST they plan an orderly shutdown and suspension of all subway, bus and commuter railroad service in reponse to the storm. Sandy, which has already claimed over 50 lives in the Caribbean, is predicted to bring heavy winds and floodwaters as the mid-atlantic region prepares for the damage (Getty Images/AFP)

Connie of Long Beach grabs the few remaining water bottles from the shelves at the Waldbaums grocery store as Hurricane Sandy approaches on October 28, 2012 in Long Beach, New York. (Getty Images/AFP)

Published Sunday, October 28, 2012

By Agencies

US authorities ordered coastal evacuations with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Sunday ordered the evacuation of 375,000 people in low-lying areas threatened by Hurricane Sandy.

"This is a serious and dangerous storm," Bloomberg told a news conference as he ordered the mandatory evacuation ahead of the storm which is expected to start hitting on Monday.

New York authorities ordered the subway, commuter trains and buses to close on Sunday ahead of the arrival of a feared super-storm.

The New York subway and regional buses will stop from 7:00 pm (2300 GMT; 3am UAE Time on Monday), state governor Mario Cuomo announced as he warned that the impending storm was "not something to be taken lightly."

"If it turns and moves off, great. Really great. But if not then we will be prepared for it," Cuomo said.

The service is expected to resume operations about 12 hours after the storm ends, officials said at the news conference.

New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority said service on subways will be curtailed beginning at 7 p.m. (2300 GMT). The bus network will begin shutting down within the next two hours.

Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad will start their finals trains by 7 p.m. from terminal locations. Stations will close once the last trains pass through.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Sunday ordered public schools closed on Monday and said that areas of the city from City Island to Coney Island to Battery Park City were under mandatory evacuation because of approaching Hurricane Sandy.

Bloomberg said during a press conference that the mandatory evacuation applies to people in Zone A, which covers coastal areas.

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The page was last updated on: 15 January 2016 13:33