FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5-15 

NYC DEPARTMENTS OF SANITATION, TRANSPORTATION, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUE WEATHER UPDATE

Black Ice May Create Travel Hazards Saturday Evening Into Sunday

January 24, 2015 — As temperatures drop below freezing this evening, areas of black ice are possible through Sunday morning on walk ways and untreated surfaces. Breezy conditions are expected tonight with no additional precipitation, and Sunday will remain dry and seasonably cold. Due to the risk of black ice, motorists are advised to use caution when traveling tonight.

Treating Icy Roadways
The Department of Sanitation has deployed more than 400 salt spreaders across the city this evening through Sunday morning. Department of Transportation crews continue to pretreat overpasses across the city. The Departments of Transportation and Sanitation have hired additional day laborers for manual shoveling tomorrow. Additionally, Department of Transportation (DOT) crews will perform roving pothole repairs on all arterial highways on Sunday from 7AM to 3PM. Call 311 or visit NYC.gov to report potholes.

Ferries
The Staten Island Ferry is expected to operate on a regular Sunday schedule.

Safety Tips
New Yorkers are encouraged to take the following precautions:

For Motorists

• Drive slowly. Posted speed limits are for ideal weather conditions. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
• Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.
• Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they do not stop quicker than other vehicles

For Pedestrians

• Exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible.
• Wear layers including a hat, gloves/mittens, and a scarf to stay protected from the cold. And keep clothes and shoes dry, if a layer becomes wet, remove it.
• Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.
• Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
• Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls from icy conditions.

For information and updates related to weather conditions, visit NYC.gov/severeweather. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City's free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit NYC.gov/notifynyc, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

CONTACT: 
NYC Emergency Management
Nancy Greco Silvestri/Omar Bourne                     (718) 422-4888
nsilvestri@oem.nyc.gov; obourne@oem.nyc.gov

STAY CONNECTED:

Twitter: @NotifyNYC (emergency notifications)
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Facebook: /NYCemergencymanagement