Editor's Note: The following information was provided by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
PATH SERVICE TO BE SUSPENDED BEGINNING MIDNIGHT, AIRLINES EXPECTED TO CEASE FLIGHT ACTIVITY TONIGHT, AND TUNNEL AND BRIDGE CLOSURES ARE BEING EVALUATED
Due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Sandy, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will suspend all PATH service beginning tonight at midnight. The decision follows an announcement by New York Governor Cuomo to suspend MTA subways, buses and commuter rail system beginning at 7 p.m. tonight.
The PATH system is being closed to passengers so that trains and stations can be secured in advance of the storm, and protected against damage from high winds and water. PATH service will resume as soon as conditions permit.
At the Port Authority’s five major airports, the Port Authority expects all carriers to cease operations tonight. American Airlines and United Airlines already indicated they will cease flight activity and Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, USAirways and other carriers are expected to make announcements later today. Air travelers are strongly encouraged to call their carriers to make sure their flight will be departing before going to the airport. There are no plans at this time to close any of the airports.
The Port Authority is bringing in a full complement of airport operations and Customer Care Representatives to assist passengers who may become stranded at the airports. All airports also will be equipped with a sufficient supply of cots and other essentials to assist passengers. In addition, at least one food service vendor will remain open in all airport terminals around the clock through the duration of the storm.
At the Newark AirTrain and JFK AirTrain systems, airport officials will closely monitor wind conditions and close both systems if a wind threshold of 30+ mph is reached. However, with the MTA subway and commuter rail service suspended as of 7 p.m. tonight, air passengers will not be able to access the JFK AirTrain system after 7 p.m. this evening.
At the agency’s tunnels and bridges, Port Authority staff will closely monitor the wind and flooding conditions. Closures will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on high winds, rainfall and roadway conditions, however closures are highly likely beginning tomorrow. Motorists are urged to drive at reduced speeds when roadways are wet, and pay close attention to posted electronic messages for important information.
Passengers are reminded to check http://www.panynj.gov/ for updated information about PATH, the airports, the tunnels and bridges and all other Port Authority facilities. For further information about safety precautions, evacuation routes and best practices for New York State, visit http://www.governor.ny.gov/stormwatch; and for New Jersey, visit www.ready.nj.gov.
