In case you've been glued to the terrible Jets game, there's quite a lot going on today because of FRANKENSTORM, the hybrid hurricane/winter storm that is due to hit the city tomorrow. Already, the MTA has announced they're shutting down the subways, buses and rails as of 7 p.m. tonight; Bloomberg ordered a mandatory evacuation of Zone A; and the wine shelves have been decimated at Trader Joe's around the city. Below, check out a roundup of everything else that's been going on:
- Weather Channel meterologist Stu Ostro seriously freaked out: "History is being written as an extreme weather event continues to unfold, one which will occupy a place in the annals of weather history as one of the most extraordinary to have affected the United States...A meteorologically mind-boggling combination of ingredients is coming together...This is an extraordinary situation, and I am not prone to hyperbole."
- Because of those record storm surges we are expected to get, the Gowanus Canal may end up a toxic shitstorm.
- Just like during Irene, the city has started turning over garbage cans. This of course does not help assuage our fears of flying pumpkins.
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has cancelled all elective surgeries and procedures effective immediately.The Emergency Department, Urgent Care Centers, and Dialysis services will remain fully operational.
- Hurricane Sandy has turned seemingly rationale Upper West Siders into hoarders.
- Airlines cancelled more than 3,000 flights Sunday; 2,499 flights have already been cancelled for Monday as well.
- 311 and the city's evacuation website have been overloaded all day—check here for a PDF of the City's Hurricane Evacaution map online, and here for a list of shelters throughout the five boroughs.
