Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a state of emergency on Sunday night amid the monster storm expected to overtake New York City.
Residents were urged to stay home during the storm – with all non-essential travel limited from Monday 6 am.
“This is a very dangerous storm,” the mayor said on NY1.
Only those seeking medical treatment or medical supplies and essential workers – such as first responders, pharmacy and grocery staff, and restaurant and delivery staff – are allowed on the road.
“New Yorkers need to stay at home, clear the roads for emergency vehicles and run our crews to keep us safe,” de Blasio said in a statement.
“Make no mistake: this storm is causing heavy snowfall and it will make travel dangerous in every area of our city.”
The storm – called Orlena by the weather channel – is expected to dump between 18 and 24 inches of snow on the Big Apple until Monday and Tuesday.
The heaviest snowfall is expected from mid-morning on Monday into the evening, with the possibility of flakes falling down at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour.
The mix of heavy snowfall and gusts of wind can lead to snow storms.
It would be the first time in at least five years that the city would be covered with more than a foot of snow during a single storm.
De Blasio said earlier on Sunday that agreements on coronavirus vaccination scheduled for Monday had been postponed due to the impending storm, with a decision on Tuesday’s appointments yet to be made.
“It will be moved soon,” he later said on NY1 of Monday’s appointments.
“We don’t want people trying to get a vaccination and be endangered during this weather.”
Personal instruction at the city’s public schools was also dropped Monday, and classes went online.
Parking on the other hand is suspended on both Mondays and Tuesdays.