As Sandy Strengthens, Cuomo Orders Precautions For WTC, Tunnels

ALBANY-With the worst of Hurricane Sandy set to make landfall on Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo took extra precautions to safeguard state’s sensitive downstate infrastructure, specifically in low-lying areas of Lower Manhattan.

At a news conference on Monday morning, Cuomo said because water levels have already reached a four-foot storm surge, both the Holland Tunnel and Brooklyn Battery Tunnel will close at 2 p.m. today due to the chance of heavy flooding. Currently, Hurricane Sandy is predicted to reach six to 11 feet of rainfall, roughly double than that of Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. As a result, Cuomo said all area bridges will close once winds reach 60 miles per hour or higher, which is anticipated to hit later this afternoon.