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Mayor de Blasio Updates New Yorkers on Winter Storm

March 21, 2018

Video available at: https://youtu.be/iicrH5rx_0A


Winter Storm Warning in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday; 12 to 18 inches of snow is predicted

March 21, 2018 – Mayor de Blasio today updated New Yorkers on the current nor’easter, and reminded individuals to refrain from travel as the storm continues to move through the City. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for New York City until 6 a.m. Thursday, March 22. The latest National Weather Service forecast anticipates 12 to 18 inches of snow accumulation. High winds are also in the forecast, with sustained winds 20 mph to 30 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. High winds continue Thursday, before subsiding early Friday morning. Temperatures Wednesday evening are forecast to be around freezing, with wind chill values between 20 and 25 degrees. Temperatures increase into the low forties on Thursday.

Mayor de Blasio also advises residents living in coastal areas to prepare for the potential for coastal flooding during Wednesday’s high tide cycles. A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect for the shorelines of Staten Island, Brooklyn and southern Queens through 2 p.m. Wednesday. A Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect for the shorelines of southern Queens from Wednesday evening through late Wednesday night. Localized minor to moderate coastal flooding is possible. New Yorkers living in coastal areas are advised to prepare as some roads and low-lying property may experience shallow flooding.

“As the storm intensifies, travel conditions will be tremendously difficult through the evening,” said Mayor de Blasio. “We urge New Yorkers to stay off the roads – if you do not need to be out, do not go out. Let us give our Sanitation crews the opportunity to do their jobs effectively.”

NYC Emergency Management

  • NYC Emergency Management is working closely with the National Weather Service to monitor the storm’s track to determine the impacts to New York City.
  • The City’s Emergency Operations Center is activated, with dozens of city and state partners coordinating the City’s response to the storm.

Department of Sanitation

  • The NYC Department of Sanitation has dispatched 693 salt spreaders and has activated PlowNYC. DSNY has dispatched 1600 plows to begin snow removal in areas where more than two inches of snow has accumulated. Additional plows are available if necessary.
  • DSNY has assigned 2,400 workers per shift to 12-hour shifts.
  • DSNY has 227,000 tons of rock salt on hand.
  • Customers can expect garbage/recycling collections delays for Wednesday, March 21 during snow operations.

Department of Transportation

  • DOT has deployed more than 500 staffers citywide with 412 pieces of equipment to address conditions. DOT continues to assist DSNY with snow removals.
  • Alternate Side Parking Regulations are suspended for Wednesday, March 21 and Thursday, March 22, to facilitate snow removal operations. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the City.
  • DOT’s Bridges Division has deployed crews to East River Bridges to address conditions. Crews are also working to clear overpasses and East River walkways and bikeways.
  • DOT’s Arterial, Parking and Citywide Concrete Units have pre-treated overpasses, municipal lots, and step streets. Crews are equipped with equipment to facilitate snow removal.
  • Crews from JC Decaux have pre-treated all city bus shelters and are monitoring bus shelters citywide.  Snow removal crews are on standby.
  • The Staten Island Ferry is operating on a normal schedule; passengers should allow for extra travel time and anticipate weather-related delays as the storm intensifies. Updates can be found on the Facebook page (fb.com/statenislandferry) and passengers can sign up for email alerts at nyc.gov/siferry for the most up-to-date information. Crews are conducting snow removal at the Staten Island Ferry terminals.
  • The Citi Bike system will be suspended beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Department of Education

  • NYC district school are closed today, March 21. After-school programs, adult education, YABC programs, and PSAL activities were also cancelled. Public hearings, including the meeting of the Panel for Educational Policy, were cancelled and will be rescheduled.
  • SAT School Day administration has been rescheduled and will now take place on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
  • Custodial engineers and custodial staff are out in full force to shovel snow, clear sidewalks, and ensure school buildings are ready for staff and students to safely return to school.
  • DOE is closely monitoring the weather forecast and will provide families and staff with an update about the school schedule for Thursday, March 22, later today.

Economic Development Corporation

  • The Rockaway Route remains suspended for Wednesday, March 21. The East River, Astoria and South Brooklyn routes are currently operating on a normal schedule; however, service may be impacted by winter storm conditions. Riders should allow extra travel time and prepare for potential weather-related delays. Real-time service updates will be posted on online, via social media, app notifications, and email.

Department of Buildings

  • DOB has issued a weather advisory reminding property owners, contractors and crane operators to take precautionary measures and secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment during high winds.
  • The Department will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the City. If sites are not secured, the Department will take immediate enforcement action — issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary.

Department for the Aging

  • Seniors should contact their local center before leaving home, as senior centers may close on a case-by-case basis.
    Case-management clients have received additional meals, and social workers are calling high-risk clients to assess and address clients’ needs.

NYCHA

  • NYCHA is hiring temporary snow removal staff. Residents who are interested in temporary work and available to assist with snow removal can report to their development management office with their Photo ID and Social Security card to inquire whether there is need for temporary workers.
  • NYCHA has activated a Situation Room to monitor the storm.
  • NYCHA Property Management staff are reporting to work at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday to address snow removal and any icy conditions.
  • NYCHA Property Management has ensured that generators are tested, operational and fueled; Property Supervisors have confirmed that snow removal equipment is ready to be deployed.
  • NYCHA’s Heating Services Department added 4 overnight roving teams (one for each borough) for Wednesday night. Heating Services has activated 16 or 24-hour watches on NYCHA’s 21 most problematic sites.

NYC Parks

  • Parks is supporting the DSNY street plowing operation, lending 44 plows with operators.
  • Parks has activated 1,695 staff, 153 plow vehicles, 167 salt spreaders, 257 snow blowers and brushes, and other equipment for snow removal on park perimeters.

Department of Environmental Protection

  • DEP has deployed resources to assist DSNY with snow removal and has pre-positioned staff to ensure critical wastewater treatment and drinking water functions continue without interruption.

For more information, visit nyc.gov/emergencymanagement. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program, for the latest information and updates on this storm and emergency events in NYC. To sign up for Notify NYC, download the free mobile application, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.