State of emergency declared for New York City, New Jersey amid blizzard warning

NEW YORK, US - FEB. 22: A powerful winter storm is battering the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern US, bringing heavy snow, blizzard conditions, high winds, and coastal flooding, the National Weather Service (NWS) said on Sunday.Snowfall rates of five to seven centimeters per hour are expected at times, with totals of 30 to 60 centimeters in some areas, resulting in "nearly impossible travel conditions."The NWS issued a blizzard warning for New York from 1.00 pm Sunday through 6.00 pm Monday, cautioning that the heaviest snow would coincide with the strongest winds Sunday evening into early Monday, with visibility dropping below 400 meters.New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city is expecting 45 to 55 centimeters of snow with gusts up to 80 kilometers per hour and possible coastal flooding of up to 75 centimeters at high tide.Mamdani said a state of emergency has been declared in the city and that a travel ban will be in effect from 9.00 pm on Sunday until 12.00 pm on Monday. Schools in the city also be closed on Monday, he said at a press conference.(Footage by Lokman Vural Elibol /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)