As the massive blizzard of 2016 left a wide swath of the Eastern United States buried in snow on Sunday, and municipalities and residents begin to dig themselves out, Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis throughout the region cautioned residents to stay safe and began to assist those impacted by the storm.
Nineteen people were reported dead by Sunday morning, a number of them older people who collapsed while shoveling snow. More than 35 million people from Virginia to Massachusetts, including Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Philadelphia; and New York City were effected. Totals of more than a foot of snow were reported throughout much of the region, with some places seeing new, all-time records of well over two feet.
Snow was not the only problem. The full effects of the storm were being felt up and down the New Jersey shoreline on Sunday, with flooded streets, downed trees and power outages. In Margate, just outside of Atlantic City, water poured over bay bulkheads and into local neighborhoods.
“I’ve been in touch with some residents who have flooding in their houses, and we are helping in any way we can,” said Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, co-director of Chai Center, Chabad at the Shore in nearby Ventnor, N.J. “One gentleman called to tell me that he’s stuck in his house and didn’t have enough food for the storm. He asked me to come and drop some things off for him, and we’re on our way over there.”
States of emergency were declared up and down the Atlantic Coast, as heavy snowfall, ice accumulation and flooding left tens of thousands without electricity. Virtually all transportation came to a halt, in the air and on the ground. In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo banned private automobiles in New York City, warning that all drivers would be arrested on the spot.
Fueled by high tides, coastal flooding inundated shore communities from Maryland to New Jersey, where Gov. Chris Christie praised residents who heeded calls to evacuate their homes.
The combination of strong winds and heavy wet snow continued to create life-threatening conditions for anyone attempting to travel, officials said, and residents were cautioned to stay at home even after the snow had stopped falling.
Throughout areas impacted by the storm, families hunkered down at home on Sunday, and began to dig themselves out as best as possible and spend lots of time indoors with their families. Rabbis noted that while storms are difficult, they also present opportunities for Torah learning and good deeds.
To that end, Chabad.org, Jewish.tv and JewishKids.org have a wide variety of articles and videos on hand for adults and children to make the stay at home even more meaningful.
Check Chabad.org/News for updates on the winter storm and its impact on local communities.
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