Storm Spells Misery For Metro-North Riders During Evening Commute

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The fast-moving, powerful storm that smacked into the Tri-State Area Tuesday evening made for a miserable evening commute for Metro-North riders.

"It couldn't have happened at a worse time at the very beginning of rush hour," said MTA chairman Joseph Lhota, noting numerous trees were blown down onto train tracks throughout the area.

The Hudson New Haven, and Harlem lines were shut down for over an hour but have since returned with limited service.

Passengers packed in like sardines at Grand Central Terminal, filling the city's most iconic transportation hub to the brim. The NYPD even closed the terminal for some time because of the crowds.

Images posted on social media showed huge crowds packing the terminal.

Many were stranded for hours as rain and wind pummeled the area, crippling Metro North service.

"I actually have a date with my husband so I don't think I'm gonna make it," commuter Denise Engelsen said. "It's very frustrating."

Service on the New Haven and Hudson lines was restored as far north as Croton-Harmon, and on the Harlem line as far as North White Plains. Service remained suspended on the northern Harlem line, and on the Hudson line north of Croton-Harmon.

With some commuters facing the possibility of spending the night at Grand Central, officials said it was too soon to tell what Wednesday morning's commute will look like.