Most of downtown Montauk, NY, on the eastern tip of Long Island, was closed, save for a pancake house and a 7-Eleven with boarded-up and “open” windows painted neon orange.
To the west, in Long Beach, a few brave or daredevil surfers rode towering waves. At nearby Jones Beach, Andy Lawrence, 76, and his 8-year-old granddaughter Harper were among the few human dots on the landscape. “We’re a family of storm chasers,” said Mr. Lawrence.
Harper added, “I like how strong the wind is – it feels weird on my rain jacket.”
The storm gave outgoing New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo one last opportunity to put his emergency management skills to the test.
Mr Cuomo, who received national attention for his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, declared a state of emergency so that New York could use federal funds to prepare for floods and other possible effects of the storm – although he admitted officials “did not” really expected significant damage after the event. ”Mr Cuomo announced that he would be stepping down on Monday evening following a sexual harassment scandal. A state of emergency has also been declared in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
When the rains fell, the Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road suspended much of their service in New York and Connecticut, hundreds of flights were canceled at airports in the New York metropolitan area, and parts of the New York subway system York City temporarily suspended service.
Connecticut officials issued evacuation orders in coastal areas of several cities, including East Haven, Madison, Groton and Branford. About 250 residents from four nursing homes – in Old Saybrook, Mystic, Guilford and West Haven – have been evacuated, state officials said.
Rhode Island officials closed three bridges because of the high winds, and the state banned motorcycles and semi-trailers.
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