NYCEM Issues Travel Advisory For Friday Into Saturday For Snow

Emergency Management


Press Release


#10-24

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY FOR SNOW

Alternate Side Parking will be Suspended on Saturday, Meters Are Still in Effect

February 16, 2024 – The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a citywide Travel Advisory for Friday, February 16 into Saturday, February 17. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Staten Island from 10:00 p.m. tonight to 1:00 p.m. tomorrow. The Winter Weather Advisory may be expanded to include the entire city when the National Weather Service forecast is updated this afternoon.

The current forecast calls for 2 inches of light to moderate snow citywide, with up to 3 inches in Staten Island. Heavy snowfall is not expected. This will be a quick-moving storm, with the bulk of the snow occurring between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Snow tapers off around daybreak tomorrow, with a few flurries possible into the early afternoon. Significant impacts are not anticipated, although slippery roadways with slight reductions in visibility may cause minor travel disruptions overnight and tomorrow morning.

Winds will be light out of the north at 5 to 10 m.p.h. during the storm, with gusts of 25 to 30 m.p.h. tomorrow afternoon. Temperatures will be in the low 30s tonight, but will climb into the mid to upper 30s tomorrow afternoon after snow has ended, allowing for snowmelt. Temperatures will drop below freezing again tomorrow night around midnight, which may result in areas of patchy ice overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, particularly on untreated surfaces.

NYC Emergency Management has proactively activated the City's Winter Weather Emergency Plan in response to the forecasted conditions. This includes conducting coordination calls with the National Weather Service and city and state agencies and utility partners, and bolstering staffing for Watch Command and the Emergency Operations Center, which is already operational due to the city's ongoing asylum seeker operations. The administration announced that Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended tomorrow, Saturday, February 17, 2024. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the city.

As part of the Winter Weather Emergency Plan, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will be issuing a Snow Alert. As part of the Adams administration’s commitment to providing quality of life services to every part of the City, Sanitation Workers will pre-salt certain “high spots,” side streets, and bike lanes – areas prone to accumulation that had not always received the attention they needed under past administrations – hours before the first flake falls. When precipitation begins, the Department will deploy over 700 Salt Spreaders to salt on every street, highway and bike lane in the City. During a Snow Alert, the Department collaborates closely with NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation to implement snow clearing protocols, adhering to the detailed snow plans established by each agency. DSNY will be tracking operations via its new Bladerunner 2.0 platform, allowing real-time adjustments as conditions require. Every street is on a route and, for the first time, every route can be dispatched at the same time. Residents may follow their normal schedule for trash and recycling collection, but collection may be delayed.

The NYC Department of Homeless Services has issued a Code Blue and outreach teams will canvass all five boroughs to connect our most vulnerable New Yorkers to shelters. No one who is homeless and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied. For the most immediate response, New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be experiencing homelessness and in need should contact 311 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance.

Residential building owners are legally required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when the temperatures fall below 55 degrees outside during the day and a minimum of 62 degrees indoors overnight, regardless of outdoor temperatures. If an apartment lacks appropriate heat, a tenant should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should register an official complaint via 311. Tenants can call 311, visit 311 online at NYC.gov/311, or use the 311 mobile app (on Android and iOS devices) to file a complaint. Hearing-impaired tenants can register complaints via a Touchtone Device for the Deaf TDD at (212) 504-4115.

NYCEM urges all New Yorkers to prioritize their safety by remaining alert and well-informed, including with real-time updates by subscribing to Notify NYC and listening to news broadcasts for the latest weather information. NYCEM strongly encourages all New Yorkers to take proactive steps to ensure their own safety and support the city’s resilience:

NYCEM offers New Yorkers tips on staying safe before, during, and after winter storms at on.nyc.gov/winterweather.

Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the city will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. Sign up for emergency notifications online or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

Allow for extra travel time and expect delays with little to no notice. Use public transportation whenever possible.

If you have to go outdoors, wear dry, warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered. Wear a hat, hood, scarf, and gloves.

Shivering is an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Shivering is a signal to return indoors. Pedestrians should exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible. Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs. Older New Yorkers and those with disabilities, access, and functional needs should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.

Be safe at work. Workers who spend a lot of time outdoors are at risk for cold-related health impacts. If you are an employer, implement safe work practices, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train workers on how to stay safe during cold and winter weather.

If you must drive, drive slowly. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

Always have an emergency kit in your car. It should include items like blankets, a flashlight, water, snacks, a first aid kit, and a snow shovel.

Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.

If you require assistance for daily activities, make arrangements in advance for support during the expected weather, ensuring caregivers are aware of and prepared for the weather conditions.

Charge your phones and keep a flashlight and batteries handy. If you lose power and have a disability and/or use life-sustaining equipment and need immediate assistance, call 911.

To report power outages, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call your power provider immediately to report the outage. Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 800-75-CONED (752-6633) (TTY: 800-642-2308). You can also report an outage online on Con Edison's website. National Grid’s 24-hour hotline is 718-643-4050 (TTY: 718-237-2857). PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour hotline is 800-490-0025 (TTY: 631-755-6660).

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the city’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. Notify NYC is available in 14 languages, including American Sign Language. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, New Yorkers can visit the Notify NYC website, call 311, or download the free Notify NYC app for your Android or Apple device. You can now text to 692-692, using the code NOTIFYNYC, NOTIFYNYCESP (Spanish), and NOTIFYFRE (French) to be instantly enrolled to receive the highest priority, verified alerts across all the five boroughs.

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