The east coast of the United States is now trying to recover after suffering through a massive blizzard that claimed the lives of at least 25 people.
On Sunday, Jan. 24, New York and New Jersey have lifted the travel ban in their cities, restoring transportation services as it prepares to start the workweek. Stock, commodities and bond markets are planning to resume with regular operating schedules on Jan. 25, with airlines starting to launch flights on Jan. 24.
Buses started to travel through the streets of New York on Sunday, while the Metropolitan Transportation Authority gradually restored the service of the Metro-North Railroad and over-ground subway. Services, however, were suspended along the Long Island Railroad due to snow-covered rail yards, stalled trains and frozen switches.
Washington, however, is still struggling to stand up after being blanketed with heavy amounts of snow. Federal offices will remain closed on Jan. 25 in Washington, with the House of Representatives moving to cancel all the votes that were scheduled to be carried out within the week.
The winter storm, which was informally named Jonas by the Weather Channel, was expected to dump as much as 30 inches of snow over the weekend of Jan. 23 and Jan. 24. The National Weather Service expected Washington D.C. to be buried under 29 inches of snow by the evening of Jan. 24.
As the winter storm surged through the east coast, about 85 million residents across a dozen states were affected, as residents were told to remain within their homes and off the roads to keep themselves safe. About 26.8 inches of snow covered New York's Central Park, which was the second-most accumulation since 1869. For the capital Washington, 22 inches paralyzed the city.
Near-record amounts of snowfall were also recorded in other cities along the east coast, with Baltimore and Philadelphia among the ones that received the worst of the winter storm.
The storm, however, has ended, with temperatures once again rising. People that sealed themselves shut inside their own homes are emerging and flocking to parks and other public spaces for winter activities under sunshine.
However, authorities still advised people to be wary of their surroundings, despite the picturesque scenes that could be seen as the snow clears away.
"We urge all New Yorkers not to travel on our roads except when necessary, and to be extremely careful when driving," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, adding that the city's sanitation workers are still clearing up the roads and should be given space to be able to do their work. The mayor added that for people going outside, they should proceed with caution and remain alert for risks associated with ice and cold temperatures.
While New York chugs along, Washington D.C. tells a different story as it is not as adept at facing up to the winter weather as New York. Major roads downtown have been cleared, but side streets were still clogged up by snow. Public schools remain closed, and public transportation was still limited on Jan. 25.
Governor Chris Christie warned his constituents in New Jersey to be careful in cleaning up their properties, as many of the deaths that were related to the winter storm were due to people suffering from heart attacks while shoveling away snow.
