Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency on August 26 , and that day issued a mandatory evacuation order for low-lying areas of New York City . A day prior , New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had announced that the city would prepare to create " an enormous shelter system " for residents without access to higher ground . President Barack Obama issued a state of emergency declaration for the New York metropolitan area , freeing federal disaster funds , and tasking the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate disaster relief efforts . Cuomo deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to assist police , the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ( MTA ) and the Port Authority in New York and Long Island . Possible rising seawater levels from storm surge and a predicted high tide led to a complete shutdown of the MTA , the nation 's largest mass transit system . All subway , bus , and commuter rail service in New York City was halted at noon on August 27 . Four area hospitals began evacuating patients on August 26 ; sixteen nursing homes and adult care facilities were also evacuated . The New York International Fringe Festival cancelled all performances for August 27 , and 28 , as did all Broadway shows for those days . The United States Tennis Association cancelled special events planned for the 2011 US Open
New York International Fringe Festival
New York International Fringe Festival
Hurricane Irene