New York area coping with deep freeze, dangerous travel conditions
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Temperatures took a nosedive overnight Monday, leaving the New York area under a deep freeze. Now, people across the area -- especially those who have to work outside -- are feeling that arctic chill.
Weekend rain also led to icy streets and highways, creating dangerous travel conditions throughout the eastern U.S.
Drivers were urged to use caution and take mass transit if possible.
Due to extremely high winds, the NYC Ferry Rockaway route was suspended until further notice. Both East and West Route Shuttle Buses will be redirected to take riders to the nearest A train stop at Beach 108th Street.
Due to high winds and road conditions, the MTA issued restrictions for some vehicles on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, including step vans, tractor trailers, house trailers, cars pulling trailers, minibuses and motorcyles.
All lanes of the upper level of the bridge were closed Monday night after a tractor-trailer overturned heading towards Staten Island. Wind may have been a factor. The vehicle was removed, but the upper level remained closed due to the winds.
In Midtown Manhattan a construction elevator broke loose and struck a window, sending shattered glass raining down on West 57th Street. No injuries were reported.
Monday's temperatures were more than 20 degrees below normal across the Northeast, with gusty winds and wind chills approaching minus 40 degrees in parts of the area.
RELATED: Tips on staying warm amid the arctic blast
The bitter cold is also stymieing air travel, with thousands of canceled and delayed flights.
In Connecticut, more than 12,000 people were without electricity.
The power restoration effort following the weekend storm turned deadly Sunday when an Eversource subcontractor was struck by falling tree in Middletown while working on a power line.
Mayor Dan Drew issued a statement saying the lineman "was in harm's way today for the benefit of others."
RELATED: 7 things to do to protect your home during the winter
New York City and the metro region escaped any significant snowfall over the weekend, with the precipitation coming down mainly as rain.
But upstate New York saw anywhere from 10 to 15 inches, with up to 18 to 20 inches in the higher elevations of the Adirondacks. Buffalo had about a foot of snow, and about 16 inches fell in the higher elevations.
The storm brought some of the coldest temperatures of the season.
WATCH: Nassau County issues health warning due to extreme cold
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
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