Broadway Blizzard Watch 2/8 3:30 PM Update - Broadway Shows Still On for Tonight; Telecharge Offering Exchanges
By: Nicole Rosky Feb. 08, 2013
New York City residents are busy preparing for an incoming blizzard, with a reported 10-15 inches coming to the city with a storm that will get worse throughout the day, and 24-30 inches to other parts of the North East. The storm is set to hit New York, New England, and parts of New Jersey today and continuing through Saturday, February 9. News reports have warned that winds could potentially reach 45 miles per hour, with tempertures in the 20's.
The current updates for NYC, according to the Weather Channel, are as follows:
-Blizzard warnings posted through early Saturday afternoon.
-2.3" snow in the Bronx so far.
-Amtrak's Northbound service out of Penn Station is now suspended.
-Mayor Bloomberg urges residents to call 311 for any weather-related problems. Use 911 only for life-threatening emergencies.
-MTA has advised of potential service disruptions, and information about any service changes to public transportation is available here.
-Snow plow progress can be tracked here.
As of 3PM, all Broadway and Off-Broadway shows are currently scheduled to go on as normal, with the exception of Talley's Folly, which has been canceled. Contact Audience Services at audienceservices@roundabouttheatre.org or (212) 719-1300 to reschedule.
Shows scheduled to play this evening include ANNIE, THE BOOK OF MORMON, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, CHICAGO, CINDERELLA, THE HEIRESS, JERSEY BOYS, THE LION KING, MAMMA MIA!, MANILOW ON BROADWAY, MARY POPPINS, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, NEWSIES, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, ONCE, THE OTHER PLACE, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, PICNIC, ROCK OF AGES, SPIDER-MAN, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and WICKED.
The following Broadway shows are offering advance exchanges - before the performance - for customers who are unable to attend the Friday, February 8 evening performance, due to the winter storm: Chicago, Cinderella, Mamma Mia!, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Once, The Phantom of the Opera, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Other Place, Rock of Ages, The Heiress, Jersey Boys, The Book of Mormon, Manilow on Broadway.
Mayor Bloomberg has advised that the city will remain under alert through 1pm tomorrow and that downed power lines are once again a major concern outside of Manhattan due to expected winds of 50-60 miles per hour. He noted that mass transit will be on thru rush-hour and then will likely begin to wind down bus service and above ground trains as the day goes on. The subways are expected to run as normal.
The city has put its safety plan into motion and is advising residents to stay off of city streets, and outside of cars. They have cancelled all Friday after school activities and Saturday classes and activities as well. The Mayor has advised to stay home tonight and to "cook a meal, read a book, or watch TV" and to stay off the streets, away from plows.
The MTA regional transportation network has assumed an aggressive storm-fighting posture in response to the severe weather forecast of frigid temperatures, high winds and snow accumulation of a foot or more. Customers should be advised that this weather event could require suspension of some portions of the region's subway, bus and commuter train operations.
"We are taking this forecast extremely seriously and began preparations throughout the MTA service area well in advance of the storm's arrival," said Thomas F. Prendergast, the MTA's Interim Executive Director. "If weather conditions require, there is the possibility that we will suspend some subway, bus or commuter rail services to ensure the safety of our customers."
Long Island Rail Road is urging customers in New York City to plan to leave for eastbound trips in the early afternoon, before the brunt of the forecast snowstorm begins to hit the region. For the safety of customers, the LIRR will suspend service if snow accumulations reach between 10-13 inches. The predicted severity of the winter storm today will require Metro-North to change its scheduled service. These changes are in anticipation of providing the best service to ensure your safety. There will be extra trains during the early afternoon to help customers return home before the brunt of the storm. This schedule will result in reduced service during the PM peak. Train combinations and cancelations are possible at any time, but increase in likelihood as the evening progresses to prevent trains from becoming stranded during the storm.
Beginning at the end of this evening's rush period, subway trains not required for service will be stored underground along express tracks around the system. This action is necessary to prevent them from being blocked in yards by drifting snow. However, it will mean the early suspension of some express service on some lines. Due to worsening weather conditions and anticipated lighter than usual p.m. ridership based on morning observations, bus service will be reduced from normal levels this evening. Road and travel conditions along all bus routes are being monitored closely and service suspensions could occur.
Specific bus, commuter rail and subway travel information can be found below.
New York City Transit
Today's weather event could force the curtailment or suspension of some subway or bus service. Customers are advised to limit travel or stay home if possible.
Bus service is being reduced this evening and curtailments are possible depending on road conditions. Subway trains not required for service will be stored underground along express tracks around the system. This is necessary to prevent them from being blocked in yards by drifting snow. However, it will mean the early suspension of some express service. Due to the inclement weather, all weekend work has been canceled. However, to protect trains underground, service will operate between Main Street and Queensboro Plaza, with a train shuttle between Queensboro Plaza and Vernon-Jackson Avenues, but no service in Manhattan. This operation begins around midnight tonight and end when trains are returned to their normal storage in Corona Yard. The 42nd Street Shuttle will operate overnight.
Long Island Rail Road
The MTA is urging Long Island Rail Road customers who work in New York City to plan to leave for eastbound trips in the early afternoon, before the brunt of the forecast snowstorm begins to hit the region. For the safety of customers, the LIRR will suspend service if snow accumulations reach between 10-13 inches. Crews will be out in force to clear tracks and the third rail used to power electric trains.
"We urge LIRR customers to take advantage of our extra afternoon Eastbound service and leave the city early before the worst of the storm hits," said LIRR President Helena Williams. "This is a serious storm, so it's best to get home early and avoid traveling as conditions worsen." The LIRR is providing 8 extra trains to assist customers heading home early Friday afternoon, in advance of the pending snowstorm. The extra service is between 2:09 PM and 3:48 PM, with extra trains on the Babylon, Port Jefferson, Port Washington and Far Rockaway Branches.
Metro-North Railroad
The predicted severity of the winter storm on Friday, February 8, will require Metro-North to change its scheduled service. These changes are in anticipation of providing the best service to ensure safety of all customers and employees. There will be extra trains during the early afternoon to help customers return home. This schedule will result in reduced service during the PM peak. Train combinations and cancellations are possible at any time, but increase in likelihood as the evening progresses to prevent trains from becoming stranded during the storm.
Bridges and Tunnels
All nine crossings are open and operating normally at this time. Motorists are asked to allow extra travel time and operate at reduced speeds due to wet roadways. Scheduled lane closures and weekend work at the Queens Midtown Tunnel has been canceled due to the weather. As the storm intensifies, high winds and white out conditions may result in intermittent bridge and ramp closures.
The National Weather Service's Warning (through Saturday, 1:00 PM) is as follows:
* locations... New York City... southern Westchester County... and coastal portions of northeast New Jersey.
* Hazard types... heavy snow and strong winds.* Accumulations... snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches... with localized higher amounts within developing snow bands.* Winds... north 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.* Temperatures... falling into the 20s by this evening.* Visibilities... one quarter mile or less at times.* Timing... the strongest winds and heaviest snow will occur this eveninginto Saturday morning.* Impacts... heavy snow and winds will make for dangerous driving conditions with visibilities near zero in white-out conditions. In addition... some tree limbs will be downed...causing scattered power outages.
A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.
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