Mayor Bill de Blasio today issued an update about the winter weather system moving through the area. National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for New York City through 07:00 a.m. Tuesday. A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. New York City Emergency Management has issued a travel advisory in effect for New York City through the Tuesday morning commute. According to the latest National Weather Service forecast, the current rainfall is expected to transition to snow by early afternoon. The snow may begin accumulating during the afternoon, possibly leading to a messy evening commute. The expected snowfall may continue into Monday night, before tapering off by daybreak Tuesday. A total accumulation of 2 to 4 inches of snow is currently forecast, with possible higher amounts should the transition from rain to snow occur earlier. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation during their Monday commute.
“With the forecast predicting snow just in time to create a messy evening commute, I urge all New Yorkers to take extra precautions, stay off the streets and take public transportation whenever possible,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The Department of Sanitation is ready to clear the streets, but everyone must do their part to ensure they can get through and do their jobs safely.”
Agency Updates
· NYC Emergency Management continues to coordinate the City’s preparations for the upcoming inclement weather and is working closely with National Weather Service to monitor the forecast. The agency has convened daily winter weather steering committee calls to discuss agency actions ahead of the storm. The City’s Situation Room is open to coordinate a rapid response to potential impacts associated with the forecast.
· The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has deployed 705 salt spreaders across the five boroughs, and 1500 plows will begin operations once two inches of snow has fallen.
· The City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) will pre-deploy crews to the East River bridges and Times Square. DOT will pre-salt Times Square, along with walkways at the ferry terminal and muni lots, and will continue to monitor these locations. DOT will monitor conditions on the citywide Transportation network at the Joint Transportation Management Center with State DOT and NYPD, and coordinate efforts to address any issues.
· Alternate Side Parking Regulations are suspended today to facilitate snow operations. Payment at parking meters remain in effect throughout the city.
· The Staten Island Ferry is currently anticipated to operate on a normal schedule. However, because impending winter storm conditions could lead to service changes, passengers are advised to check DOT’s social media channels and use the NotifyNYC app.
· NYC Ferry is currently operating on a normal schedule; however, weather conditions may affect service. Please use caution on all landings and vessels and allow for extra travel time. Real-time service changes will be Published online at www.ferry.nyc<http://www.ferry.nyc/> and social media feeds. Riders can also sign up for route-specific push notifications on the NYC Ferry app.
- NYC public schools are open. Due to inclement weather expected and potential travel conditions that may result, the Department of Education (DOE) canceled after-school programs that rely on yellow school buses. All other after-school programs will operate on a normal schedule. Families should pick up children as early as possible from all after-schools, but students will be supervised until families are able to arrive. If you are unsure of whether or not your child’s program has been impacted, please contact your school directly.
· Department for the Aging senior centers are expected to operate on a normal schedule; however, older adults should contact their senior center directly to confirm hours and availability before venturing out.
· NYC Parks has 1,300 forestry and maintenance and operations staff on duty as of 06:00 a.m. this morning to address weather related issues.
· NYC Parks deployed more than 132 plow vehicles, 167 salt spreaders, and 257 snow blowers and brushes, and has begun to treat its more than 2,000 miles of pathways starting with priority areas like commuter hubs and park perimeters. As snow accumulates staff will clear priority areas first and after interior pathways.
· NYC Parks has 20 crews throughout the city with more than 100 cutters prepared to address any incoming downed trees and limbs reports. For emergencies New Yorkers should call 911, all other tree reports should be directed to 311.
Code Blue
A Code Blue Weather Emergency notice is issued when the temperature is forecast to drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less between 04:00 p.m. and 08:00 a.m., including National Weather Service calculations for wind chill values. No one who is homeless and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied. Should you see an individual who appears to be homeless and in need out in the cold, please call 311 and an outreach team will be dispatched to offer assistance. During Code Blue Weather emergencies, experienced outreach teams work to connect homeless New Yorkers with the following resources:
· Shelters: During a Code Blue, shelter is available system-wide to accommodate anyone who is reasonably believed to be homeless and is brought to a shelter by outreach teams. Accommodations are also available for walk-ins.
· Drop-in centers: All drop-in centers are open 24-hours per day, including when Code Blue procedures are in effect, and will assist as many people as possible for the duration of the emergency. Drop-in staff and the dedicated outreach teams they work closely with each day can also make arrangements for homeless individuals at other citywide facilities.
· Safe havens and stabilization beds: Chronically homeless individuals may be transported directly to these low-threshold housing programs.
· Street homeless outreach: Teams will contact vulnerable individuals on their Code Blue Priority Lists a minimum of once every four (4) hours beginning at 08:00 p.m. during Code Blue Alerts and once every two (2) hours beginning at 08:00 p.m. for Enhanced Code Blue Alerts to encourage them to accept services, including transportation to a shelter placement. DSS coordinates borough-level Code Blue efforts directly with partner City agencies, including but not limited to NYPD, DSNY, and the Parks Department.
