By Caitlin Ochs

NEW YORK, Reuters – New Yorkers and New Englanders waited for a strong Nor’easter to hit on Saturday. It brought high winds and deep freeze, as well as snow up to 2 feet (6 cm), a blizzard that was expected to be the most severe in recent history.

Forecasts of a potentially brutal storm, which moved up the East Coast after forming in the Atlantic Ocean off the Carolinas, had prompted airlines to cancel https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airlines-cancel-flights-ahead-noreaster-storm-2022-01-28 5,000 flights through the weekend and delay more than 8,000.

All governors in New York, Massachusetts and Maryland have declared states of emergency.

“This is going to be a very big storm, probably one of the biggest we’ve experienced in the last few years. Conditions are expected to make travel nearly impossible, and we’re urging everyone, to the extent possible to stay home tonight and tomorrow,” Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker told a news conference.

Amtrak cancelled passenger train service in large parts of the region after issuing flood warnings from the National Weather Service.

“The Nor’easter that will move up through the mid-Atlantic States to the Northeast this weekend will bring extreme cold and hazardous conditions to many communities,” Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall said in a statement https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/28/statement-by-homeland-security-advisor-dr-elizabeth-sherwood-randall-on-preparations-ahead-of-this-weekends-noreaster on Friday evening.

“We will be actively monitoring the storm’s projected impacts and working closely with (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) to ensure that we are prepared to support any needs for Federal assistance that may arise in your community,” Sherwood-Randall said.

‘WHITEOUT CONDITIONS’

The National Weather Service issued an advisory about blizzards for Boston’s metropolitan area, and nearly 4.9 million people. They predicted “whiteout conditions and dangerous winds.”

Forecasters stated that up to 2 feet of snow may fall in some parts and winds gusts of 70 miles an hour (113km) were possible starting Saturday early. Southeastern Massachusetts (Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard) is expected to receive the most snow.

From the Carolinas to Maine, winter storm warnings and advisories were in place.

It was almost 44 years ago that the storm came close to New England after an unprecedented blizzard decimated it in 1978. This storm, which threw more than 27 inches (70 cm) snow at Boston with no warning, killed numerous people and trapped others.

Photos posted to social media show shoppers crowding into grocery stores and picking up shelves as they stock up on necessities ahead of the storm.

“I just spent over $100 for groceries ahead of this alleged “storm.” Snow girl, if you gon’ do it, do it big,” Twitter (NYSE:) user ChelsLynne17 posted.

According to the weather service, blowing snow can significantly decrease visibility. Strong winds may bring down trees and disrupt power supply in certain areas.