State of emergency declared in 44 counties as winter storm hits Northeast region

A traffic officer patrolled a lightly trafficked street in Weehawken, N.J., Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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UPDATED 3:55 PM PT – Monday, February 1, 2021

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) has declared a state of emergency in over 40 counties as a major winter storm slams the state. The storm is bringing a combination of heavy snow and strong winds, which are expected to last until Wednesday morning.

All flights at JFK and LaGuardia airports have been suspended amid the severe weather.

A State of Emergency is in effect for 44 counties across New York.

Transportation restrictions and road closures are starting to go into effect as the snow continues to worsen.

New Yorkers—please stay home. https://t.co/Ino6ztrdeA

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 1, 2021

Cuomo is urging residents to stay home and off the roads.

“This is a serious situation, it’s nothing to be trifled with,” Cuomo stated. “Yes, we’ve had snow storms before, yes we’ve been through it before, but this is a dangerous life threatening situation.”

Forecasters said snowfall rates could reach up to two inches an hour throughout New York.

Officials in several other states, including New Jersey, have also declared a state of emergency in various counties throughout their state.

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