Ferocious storm lands in Central Park, NYC

A ferocious winter storm that tore across the southeastern seaboard slammed into New York City on Tuesday, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights and threatening train, bus and rail service for millions of commuters across the region.

The giant amoeba-shaped snowstorm officially touched down in Central Park between 8:30 and 9 pm on Tuesday. But hours earlier, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg had already declared a weather emergency, something he did not do during the Dec. 26 and 27 blizzard that paralyzed the city with 20 inches of snow.

A ferocious winter storm that tore across the southeastern seaboard slammed into New York City on Tuesday, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights and threatening train, bus and rail service for millions of commuters across the region.

As New York City geared up for what was expected to be another major snowstorm, shovels and windshield scrapers were set out for shoppers at the Home Depot on 23rd Street in Manhattan. Predictions called for as much as a foot of snow. (NYT Photo)

For customer convenience and maximum exposure, the snow-removal equipment was stacked near the check-out line. City officials and residents alike hoped to be better prepared for this storm than the blizzard of December 26 and 27, 2010. (NYT Photo)
One of the many shoppers who left Bruno's Hardware on Court Street in Brooklyn with a new shovel in hand. (NYT Photo)
Another shovel buyer, Rachedl Koenig (center) of Brooklyn, made her purchase at Leopoldi Hardware in Park Slope. (NYT Photo)

Margaret Stasik of Brooklyn was among the customers at Bruno's. (NYT Photo)
Patrick Donohue kept the shelves at Leopoldi Hardware stocked with de-icing supplies. (NYT Photo)
Margaret Stasik leaving Bruno's, with the hard work still to come. (NYT Photo)