Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Thursday morning, saying at a briefing that weather conditions could become "more problematic" as the day progresses.
A state of emergency allows the state to cut red tape and make decisions that affect local governments uniformly.
Getting around is a major issue. Officials say residents should stay home.
The executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Rick Cotton, says two-thirds of all flights have been cancelled at LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark airports.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Joe Lhota says that the suburban Metro-North railroad has bypassed some stations because of downed trees.
In New York City, about 2,000 buses have been operating with chains.
AP News Services were used in this report.