New York City and New Jersey declare states of emergency as Winter Storm Orlena hits the East Coast

Winter Storm Orlena is barreling towards the East Coast after blanketing the Midwest in white, and is set to drop up to two feet of snow in the Big Apple, prompting New York City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia to declare states of emergency.

More than 100million people from the Midwest to the Northeast have received winter weather warnings in the powerful nor’easter.

By Sunday evening the powerful storm dumped about eight inches of snow in parts of Chicago and three to five inches in central Ohio. As a result of the storm hundreds of car crashes have been reported and thousands of flights have been canceled in New York City.

The storm has now reached the East Coast where it will bring heavy snow, strong winds and freezing temperatures across New England, including Boston and Philadelphia. 

By Sunday night Washington DC, Baltimore and New York City already had snowfall and locals in Connecticut and New York were seen lining up at stores and clearing out shelves, stocking up on food, water, snow plows and shovels.

On Sunday night New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a state of emergency where all residents are urged to stay home with all non-essential travel restricted beginning at 6am Monday. 

Orlena is predicted to drop between 18 to 24 inches of snow in New York City from Monday into Tuesday, coupled with wind gusts up to 45 to 55mph. 

Winter Storm Orlena is barreling towards the East Coast after blanketing the Midwest in snow, set to drop up to two feet of snow in the Big Apple, prompting the New York City and New Jersey to declare states of emergency. A view of pedestrians building a snowman on Sunday in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday

Winter Storm Orlena is barreling towards the East Coast after blanketing the Midwest in snow, set to drop up to two feet of snow in the Big Apple, prompting the New York City and New Jersey to declare states of emergency. A view of pedestrians building a snowman on Sunday in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday

More than 100million people from the Midwest to the Northeast have received winter weather warnings in the powerful nor¿easter. By Sunday evening the powerful storm dumped about eight inches of snow in parts of Chicago and three to five inches in central Ohio. A view of a woman in Chicago shoveling out her car on Sunday above

More than 100million people from the Midwest to the Northeast have received winter weather warnings in the powerful nor’easter. By Sunday evening the powerful storm dumped about eight inches of snow in parts of Chicago and three to five inches in central Ohio. A view of a woman in Chicago shoveling out her car on Sunday above

Winter wonderland: A view of people strolling the snowy National Mall in Washington DC on Sunday above. The nation's capital is expected to get six to 10 inches of snow in the first major snow storm of the year

Winter wonderland: A view of people strolling the snowy National Mall in Washington DC on Sunday above. The nation’s capital is expected to get six to 10 inches of snow in the first major snow storm of the year

On Sunday night New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a state of emergency where all residents are urged to stay home with all non-essential travel restricted beginning at 6am Monday. In the city Orlena is predicted to drop between 18 to 24 inches of snow in New York City from Monday into Tuesday, coupled with wind gusts up to 45 to 55mph. A view of snowfall in Times Square in New York City late Sunday above

On Sunday night New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a state of emergency where all residents are urged to stay home with all non-essential travel restricted beginning at 6am Monday. In the city Orlena is predicted to drop between 18 to 24 inches of snow in New York City from Monday into Tuesday, coupled with wind gusts up to 45 to 55mph. A view of snowfall in Times Square in New York City late Sunday above

The heaviest snowfall forecast for mid morning Monday in New York City. At its peak, snow could fall as fast as one to three inches an hour. A view of people enjoying the snowfall in Times Square Sunday night above

The heaviest snowfall forecast for mid morning Monday in New York City. At its peak, snow could fall as fast as one to three inches an hour. A view of people enjoying the snowfall in Times Square Sunday night above

A couple share a kiss as snow falls around them during Winter Storm Orlena in Times Square New York City on Sunday

A couple share a kiss as snow falls around them during Winter Storm Orlena in Times Square New York City on Sunday

Locals flocked to their local stores to stock up on water and food ahead of the storm. A view of Costco shoppers in Norwalk, Connecticut above

Locals flocked to their local stores to stock up on water and food ahead of the storm. A view of Costco shoppers in Norwalk, Connecticut above

Sold out! Shoppers in Norwalk, Connecticut buy out all the snow blowers for the impending storm on Sunday

Sold out! Shoppers in Norwalk, Connecticut buy out all the snow blowers for the impending storm on Sunday

In Henrico County, Virginia a Henrico County fire truck overturned on slick roads on while on a call on Sunday

In Henrico County, Virginia a Henrico County fire truck overturned on slick roads on while on a call on Sunday

All four firefighters inside were able to exit safely and were taken to hospitals for minor injuries as officials warned locals to stay off the roads

All four firefighters inside were able to exit safely and were taken to hospitals for minor injuries as officials warned locals to stay off the roads

The storm will bring heavy snow, strong winds and freezing temperatures across New England, including Boston and Philadelphia. A view of residents walking along the snowy road in Rock Creek Park in Washington DC on Sunday

The storm will bring heavy snow, strong winds and freezing temperatures across New England, including Boston and Philadelphia. A view of residents walking along the snowy road in Rock Creek Park in Washington DC on Sunday

Playtime! Locals bundled up in coats, gloves and hats to enjoy a day in the snow sledding and tubing down hills near Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday

Playtime! Locals bundled up in coats, gloves and hats to enjoy a day in the snow sledding and tubing down hills near Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday

Snowball fight! A view of locals participating in a snowball fight near the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall as Washington, D.C. on Sunday

Snowball fight! A view of locals participating in a snowball fight near the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall as Washington, D.C. on Sunday

The heaviest snowfall forecast for mid morning Monday in New York City. At its peak, snow could fall as fast as one to three inches an hour.

The heaviest snowfall is likely to be recorded in northeastern Pennsylvania and northwestern new Jersey, according to Bob Oravec, a lead forcaster with the National Weather Service based in Baltimore. 

In Pennsylvania forecasters predict 11 to 15 inches of snow in some areas and winds of up to 35 miles per hour. 

‘New Yorkers should stay home, keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles and let our plows work to keep us safe. Make no mistake: this storm will bring heavy snowfall and it will make travel dangerous in every neighborhood in our city,’ de Blasio said in a statement.

The severe weather will put a halt on the city’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout, with all Monday appointments for the shots being postponed.

‘It will be rescheduled quickly. We don’t want people out trying to get a vaccination and end up being in harm’s way during this weather,’ De Blasio said on NY1.

The city’s schools will also have classes moved online and airports have moved to cancel flights.

New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport has canceled 75 percent of flights for Monday and La Guardia has canceled about 81 percent of flights on Monday. At least 128 flights were canceled at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Sunday, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

Flurries: A view of the heavy falling in Times Square as Winter Storm Orlena hit New York City on Sunday evening above

Flurries: A view of the heavy falling in Times Square as Winter Storm Orlena hit New York City on Sunday evening above

Members of the group Safewalksnyc hand out hand warmers and emergency blankets to homeless persons in the snow in Midtown Manhattan, as Winter Storm Orlena hits New York City on Sunday

Members of the group Safewalksnyc hand out hand warmers and emergency blankets to homeless persons in the snow in Midtown Manhattan, as Winter Storm Orlena hits New York City on Sunday

The severe weather will put a halt on the city¿s COVID-19 vaccination rollout, with all Monday appointments for the shots being postponed. 'It will be rescheduled quickly. We don¿t want people out trying to get a vaccination and end up being in harm¿s way during this weather,' Mayor De Blasio said Sunday

The severe weather will put a halt on the city’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout, with all Monday appointments for the shots being postponed. ‘It will be rescheduled quickly. We don’t want people out trying to get a vaccination and end up being in harm’s way during this weather,’ Mayor De Blasio said Sunday

A view of locals enoying the Sunday night snowfall in Times Square, Manhattan on Sunday above

A view of locals enoying the Sunday night snowfall in Times Square, Manhattan on Sunday above 

Shoppers in Norwalk, Connecticut buy out all the groceries at Shoprite for the impending storm on Sunday

Shoppers in Norwalk, Connecticut buy out all the groceries at Shoprite for the impending storm on Sunday

Shoppers buy out the ice melt and stock up on shovels in Norwalk, Connecticut ahead of Orlena on Sunday

Shoppers buy out the ice melt and stock up on shovels in Norwalk, Connecticut ahead of Orlena on Sunday

A view of people throwing snowballs during a snowball fight on the National Mall in Washington DC on Sunday

A view of people throwing snowballs during a snowball fight on the National Mall in Washington DC on Sunday

A plow clears the sidewalk during a heavy snowfall in Washington DC on Sunday

A plow clears the sidewalk during a heavy snowfall in Washington DC on Sunday

Weather warnings stretch from North Carolina up to Maine Sunday into Tuesday as Winter Storm Orlena hits the East Coast

Weather warnings stretch from North Carolina up to Maine Sunday into Tuesday as Winter Storm Orlena hits the East Coast

A view of the forecast on for Monday pictured above showing heavy snow predicted to fall from Indiana to Boston

A view of the forecast on for Monday pictured above showing heavy snow predicted to fall from Indiana to Boston

By Monday night heavier snow will head further north into upstate and central New York. All throughout, strong winds will wallop the coast Monday into evening. By Tuesday there will be lighter snow lingering in far west and central New York

By Monday night heavier snow will head further north into upstate and central New York. All throughout, strong winds will wallop the coast Monday into evening. By Tuesday there will be lighter snow lingering in far west and central New York

This map shows that light snow will still fall through late Tuesday, hitting states further north the hardest

This map shows that light snow will still fall through late Tuesday, hitting states further north the hardest

This map shows that Parts of Pennsylvania, the metro New York area and Massachusetts will be some of the regions hardest hit in the storm

This map shows that Parts of Pennsylvania, the metro New York area and Massachusetts will be some of the regions hardest hit in the storm

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also declared a state of emergency on Sunday as the nor’easter rolls in and threatens to trigger moderate coastal flooding.

New Jersey’s state of emergency went into effect at 7pm Sunday and NJ Transit busses, rail, and Access Link service will be temporarily suspended Monday.

‘Heavy snow, coastal flooding, and high winds are expected in many parts of the state. The safety of residents and workers is our utmost priority. Please follow all weather-related guidance and stay off roads in order to allow access for emergency personnel,’ Murphy said in a statement.

In the storm hundreds of vehicle crashes were reported. Maryland State police responded to more than 70 crashes and to 37 disabled or unattended vehicles. Virginia State Police responded to more than 270 vehicle crashes and 240 stuck cars between midnight and 2pm Sunday. 

Monday will be the peak of the storm in the Northeast, according to Weather.com, with snow, that could change into rain or sleet, in southern new England to the New York City metro area and in parts of the Ohio Valley and the Appalachians.

This map shows snowfall reports as of Sunday at 9pm showing how Orlena has already impacted Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia

This map shows snowfall reports as of Sunday at 9pm showing how Orlena has already impacted Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia

Residents in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, dig their cars out Sunday above

Residents in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, dig their cars out Sunday above

National Guard troops provide security in the aftermath of rioting as Winter Storm Orlena leaves snow on the US Capitol grounds

National Guard troops provide security in the aftermath of rioting as Winter Storm Orlena leaves snow on the US Capitol grounds

) A lone visitor walks the snowy grounds of the Washington Monument, braving Winter Storm Orlena, on Sunday

) A lone visitor walks the snowy grounds of the Washington Monument, braving Winter Storm Orlena, on Sunday

Residents shovel out their vehicle from the snow in the Pilsen neighborhood after an overnight snowfall that dropped up to eight inches of snow in Chicago on Sunday

Residents shovel out their vehicle from the snow in the Pilsen neighborhood after an overnight snowfall that dropped up to eight inches of snow in Chicago on Sunday

Stocking up! A long line of shoppers outside a Whole Foods store in Manhattan above hours before Winter Storm Orlena hit Sunday

Stocking up! A long line of shoppers outside a Whole Foods store in Manhattan above hours before Winter Storm Orlena hit Sunday

A view of a man cleaning snow off of his car during Winter Storm Orlena in Wheeling, Illinois on Sunday

A view of a man cleaning snow off of his car during Winter Storm Orlena in Wheeling, Illinois on Sunday

By Monday night heavier snow will head further north into upstate and central New York. All throughout, strong winds will wallop the coast Monday into evening.

By Tuesday there will be lighter snow lingering in far west and central New York.

Orlena started in California last week here it brought more than six feet of snow and heavy rain to the region, made it to the Midwest by the weekend.

Monday is expected to see the worst of the weather for the Northeast, with the storm forecast to end Tuesday night, right in time for Groundhog Day. 

AccuWeather Chief Broadcast Meteorologist Bernie Rayno has already called the cold blast ‘monumental’.    

Mechanicsville, Va: Trucks clear snow from Mechanicsville Turnpike on Sunday morning

Mechanicsville, Va: Trucks clear snow from Mechanicsville Turnpike on Sunday morning

Mechanicsville, Va: David Rigby shovels his driveway during a snowstorm Sunday

Mechanicsville, Va: David Rigby shovels his driveway during a snowstorm Sunday

Washington DC: Washington is expecting 3 to 5 inches of snow during the first major snow storm of the year

Washington DC: Washington is expecting 3 to 5 inches of snow during the first major snow storm of the year

More than 100million people across the Midwest and Northeast face snowy conditions through Tuesday

More than 100million people across the Midwest and Northeast face snowy conditions through Tuesday

Weather warnings are in place across the New York, with gusts as high as 45 mph forecast and up to two feet of snow

Weather warnings are in place across the New York, with gusts as high as 45 mph forecast and up to two feet of snow

Winter storm watches and weather advisories were in effect across 20 states as of Saturday, ranging from parts of the Northern Plains and southern Great Lakes to the southern Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic states and New England, according to the National Weather Prediction Center.   

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Saturday directed state agencies to prepare ‘all emergency response assets’.  

In Wisconsin, snow depths in some counties near Lake Michigan had reached more than 15 inches, and the snow was still falling.

‘That’s more snow than we’ve seen in a decade,’ Chris Stumpf, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sullivan, Wisconsin, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Three to 5 inches of snow arrived in central Ohio by early Sunday, making for some slippery roads. Washington, D.C., and parts of Virginia had also received some snow, with up to 3 inches in some areas. By the afternoon, the snow was expected to reach Pennsylvania. 

Washington DC: A woman carries an umbrella as she walks in the snow on the National Mall during a snow storm

Washington DC: A woman carries an umbrella as she walks in the snow on the National Mall during a snow storm

Evanston, Illinois: For those who are getting ready to shovel, the snow in Illinois was forecast to be the heavy and wet snow that is often called 'heart attack snow' because of how physically taxing it can be to shovel it

Evanston, Illinois: For those who are getting ready to shovel, the snow in Illinois was forecast to be the heavy and wet snow that is often called ‘heart attack snow’ because of how physically taxing it can be to shovel it

Washington DC: Traffic moves across the Memorial Bridge with the Lincoln Memorial in the background as snow covers the ground

Washington DC: Traffic moves across the Memorial Bridge with the Lincoln Memorial in the background as snow covers the ground

Washington DC: People walk by the Washington Monument on the National Mall on Sunday

Washington DC: People walk by the Washington Monument on the National Mall on Sunday 

source: dailymail.co.uk