Both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal are suspending their respective paywalls due to Hurricane Sandy. Wall Street Journal Digital Network managing editor Raju Narisetti announced the decision in a tweet posted Sunday afternoon, writing that the site will be "open to all visitors" beginning Monday. Jim Roberts, assistant managing editor at the Times, later announced that his paper will follow suit by allowing free access to storm-related coverage on its website and mobile apps. Times spokesperson Eileen Murphy confirmed the decision in an e-mail to Poynter, explaining that the paywall will be suspended as of Sunday afternoon.

Both papers made similar moves last August, when they removed their paywalls as a "public service" prior to Hurricane Irene. The Times' current system limits non-subscribers to ten free online articles per month, while the Journal offers unlimited digital access for $4.99 per week. Hurricane Sandy is expected to make landfall along the New York-New Jersey coast late Monday, before veering inland toward Philadelphia.