Thousands Ring In 2019 From Rain-Soaked Times Square Spectacular
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The confetti and ball drop were tested and security was tight as a soaked and soggy Times Square rang in 2019 Monday night.
New York's New Year's Eve celebration at the crossroads of the world is one of the biggest parties in the world, CBS2's Natalie Duddridge reported.
HOW DID NEW YORKERS NOT IN TIMES SQUARE CELEBRATE THE START OF 2019?
"This is the absolute place to be for New Year's Eve," said Brandon Cline of Atlanta. "There's no experience like this."
"I can't wait," added Jill Cline. "What we've seen so far is just really spectacular."
The Clines experienced the magic for the very first time. Their niece and her husband have been to Times Square three times before.
"We got in a pen, it was crazy," said Megan Guerra of Tampa, Florida. "We stood out until midnight... 15 hours. No bathrooms, no eating, but it was the time of our lives. It's magic."
READ: Children's Museum Features Early NYE Celebration For Kids
Millions stayed dry and watched from home, hosting their own parties.
Safety & Security Measures
There was be plenty of security in place: Uniformed and plain-clothed officers positioned on the ground and on rooftops, along with 1,200 cameras rolling on the crowds.
The pouring rain did keep the NYPD from deploying drones as they had planned to, but Police Commissioner James O'Neill said revelers shouldn't be concerned.
"This is going to be one of the most well-policed, best-protected events in one of the safest venues in the entire world," he said.
Warm & Wet Welcome To 2019
The only unplanned hitch in the celebration was the rain. The Monday soaker pushed 2018 up a spot as one of the wettest years on record.
"It doesn't matter if it rains or snows or whatever happens in the world," said Jeffrey Straus, president of Countdown Entertainment. "We are full of love and good cheer and ready with good hope for the new year."
WEATHER: CBS2's New Year's Eve & New Year's Day Forecast
Train & Transit Changes
Subway passengers are advised to avoid the Times Square/42nd Street Station as some exits will be closed until New Year's Day.
The northbound "1" train platform at 50th Street will be closed as well as both north and southbound N, Q and R platforms at 49th Street.
The Long Island Rail Road is added 13 eastbound trains Monday afternoon and there will be 18 additional westbound trains to Penn Station.
Street Closures
There will be no parking in the following areas from Monday at 12:01 a.m. until 1 a.m. on Tuesday:
- All cross-town streets from 33rd to 59th Street between 6th and 8th Avenue
- West side of 5th Avenue, from 37th to 52nd Streets
- West side of 6th Avenue, from 34th to 59th Streets
- Both side of 6th Avenue, from 37th to 52nd Streets
- Broadway between 34th to 59th Streets
- 7th Avenue between 34th to 59th Streets
- 9th Avenue between 41st to 43rd Streets
- West side of 10th Avenue, from 58th to 59th Streets
- Both sides of 11th Avenue, from 34th to 39th Streets
- East side of 11th Avenue, from 58th to 59th Streets
- Both side of 8th Avenue from 34th to 59th Streets
- 34th Street between 5th and 9th Avenue
- 34th Street between 11th to 12th Avenues
- 37th Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
- 38th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 39th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 40th Street between 5th to 9th Avenue
- 41st Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 42nd Street between 1st to 2nd Avenue
- 42nd Street between 5th and 9th Avenue
- 43rd Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
- 44th Street between 6th to 9th Avenue
- 45th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 46th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 47th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 48th Street between 5th and 9th Avenue
- 49th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 50th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- Both side of 51st from 6th to 8th Avenue
- 52nd Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
- 53rd Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 54th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 55th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 56th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
- 57th Street between 5th to 9th Avenue
- 58th Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
- 58th Street between 10th to 11th Avenue
- 59th Street between 10th to 11th Avenue
- 59th Street between 5th Avenue and Columbus Circle
For more about street closures and traffic changes, see the NYPD website.
