Hurricane Sandy: MTA Suspends Service and Mandatory Evacuation [Updated]

With Frankenstorm Sandy barreling up the east coast as we speak, that good ol’ déjà vu feeling is already washing ashore (oh, Irene).

Mayor Bloomberg just signed an executive order to evacuate areas designated Zone A, much of the coastal spots in the neighborhood. Seward Park High School at Grand and Essex Streets is the nearest evacuation shelter. Here’s the map of evacuation zones for areas in the Lower East Side most threatened by flood (link here, but expect delay due to web traffic). The Mayor expects a “record” storm surge beginning Monday night (6-11 feet). Also, the MTA is suspending subway service systemwide starting tonight at 7 pm.

UPDATE: the mayor came down to the Lower East Side today for a tour of the Seward Park evacuation center. There was a press conference, as well.

Check out our full Frankenstorm coverage here, and definitely send us your storm photos!