New York City readies for historic Sandy
- Hugh L. Carey and Holland tunnels close
- Storm surge tonight in New York City could top 11 feet
- New Yorkers encouraged to stay off highways
NEW YORK -- Bridge and tunnel closures were announced and turning off the power to thousands of residents was being considered Monday as government and utility officials struggled to prepare the city for the massive storm sweeping into the city.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of at least two major tunnels into the city along with several bridges.
Consolidated Edison said it was considering a plan to shut off electrical power to tens of thousands of Manhattan customers south of 36th Street if flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy's storm surge threatens the utility's underground electrical equipment.
Con Ed spokeswoman Sara Banda said the utility was notifying customers with phone calls about the possibility of a power loss. The National Weather Service has forecast the storm surge will dramatically increase high tides that are already near peak levels as a result of the impact from a full moon.
"This is a precautionary measure that's being considered to minimize damage to our system," said Banda. "It would help us restore the system" after the storm passes.
Earlier, Cuomo announced emergency shutdowns of most of New York City's major bridges as wind gusts as high as 65 mph buffeted the nation's largest city.
Cuomo called on any New Yorkers still in mandatory evacuation zones to get to emergency shelters or take refuge with relatives or friends.
"This is probably the last warning that we're going to be able to give people about getting themselves to a safe place before that coastal surge really hits" tonight, Cuomo said.
He announced a call-up of 1,000 additional state National Guard members to help deal with the storm emergency.
Cuomo previously had ordered two key Manhattan tunnels closed, the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel that links Manhattan and Brooklyn, and the Holland Tunnel between Manhattan and Jersey City.
Cuomo said he took the action because the hurricane storm surge tonight in New York City could top 11 feet. That would break the 10.5-foot record established by Hurricane Donna in 1960, the governor's office said.
Cuomo also checked on the Ground Zero construction and memorial site in Lower Manhattan this morning and ordered additional actions to ensure that the area remains secure during the storm.
He urged New Yorkers to stay off highways and away from coastlines during the storm, warning that wind speeds, storm surge and flooding are expected to worsen throughout the day -- and as high tide approaches.
"The worst is still coming," Cuomo said. "You do not need to be going to the beach to take pictures."
Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the city's public schools will remain closed for a second day Tuesday as the city copes with the impact of Hurricane Sandy.
"There's no chance that mass transit will be back (in service) in time" to enable students, teachers and other educational personnel to get to schools Tuesday, he said.
Thousands of New Yorkers – along with 73 household pets – have taken refuge in the city's 76 emergency shelters, the mayor said. He again urged residents of the mandatory evacuation area, comprised of low-lying coastal areas around the city, to either go to the shelters or ride out the storm with relatives or friends living in higher-level neighborhoods.
"The storm is here and will be here ... well into tomorrow," Bloomberg said. "Now you should concentrate on keeping yourselves and your family safe to the extent possible."