A massive wind-whipped blizzard in the United States on Monday caused problems for over 60 million people and crippled New York City that was forced to shut down on a scale unseen since Superstorm Sandy. 20% of the U.S. population was affected with 7,700 flights cancelled and major mass transit hubs and schools shut down.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo enforced a travel ban for all but emergency services on roads in 13 counties in southern New York. Similar bans were enforced elsewhere as states of emergencies were also issued in New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts with people being urged to stay home.

Reports by the National Weather Service state that conditions may worsen with coastal flood warnings issued and tides in the New York metro area expected to be h3 feet higher than normal on Tuesday. A blizzard warning was issued for a 250-mile swath of region where heavy, blowing snow and whiteout conditions are expected. Gale force winds of up to 75 mph were expected along the Massachusetts coast and 50 mph towards the inland.

Retailers have run short of shovels and snowblowers, even basic groceries.