FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
10-15 

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY, AND COLD WEATHER ALERT THROUGH MONDAY

Snow and strong winds Saturday into Sunday may create hazardous travel conditions; Dangerously cold temperatures and subzero wind chills are expected through Monday

February 14, 2015 — The New York City Office of Emergency Management today issued a travel advisory for 3 – 7 inches of snow accumulation (with locally higher amounts possible) Saturday, February 14 and a cold weather alert for extremely frigid temperatures with subzero wind chills through Monday, February 16. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 1:00PM Saturday to 1:00PM Sunday, and a High Wind Warning from midnight to 2:00PM Sunday. Snow may be heavy at times, with strong winds late tonight through Sunday morning. Near-blizzard conditions and low visibility are possible. Blowing snow may reduce visibilities to near zero at times, even after snow has stopped falling. The snow accumulation and strong winds will make travel dangerous late tonight through early Sunday. PlowNYC is available at NYC.gov/severeweather to track the progress of City plows.

A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect from 6:00PM Sunday through 9:00AM Monday. Decreasing temperatures and increased winds are expected through Monday. Winds will pick up Saturday night, with gusts up to 60 mph possible early Sunday. Sunday will remain dangerously cold with highs of 15 – 22 degrees, lows around zero, and wind chills as low as 15 to 25 degrees below zero by Sunday night. Temperatures will remain dangerously cold on Monday, with highs near 12 – 15 degrees and wind chills 5 to 10 degrees below zero.

Treating Icy Roadways and Snow Removal
The NYC Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert and has deployed 500 salt spreaders, which includes smaller haulsters on side streets. In addition, DSNY will deploy 1600 plows once there is plowable snow of two inches or more. The NYC Department of Transportation has more than 200 personnel expected to be deployed over the weekend for pre-treatment of bridges and overpasses, in addition to the salting of roadways and pothole repair in advance of the snow. Bus shelters are also being pre-treated.

Ferries
The Staten Island Ferry is expected to run on a normal schedule, but riders should be prepared for delays, which will be announced publicly if necessary.

Cold Weather Safety
New Yorkers are advised to check on their neighbors, friends, and relatives ― especially the elderly and those with disabilities and access and functional needs. People most likely to be exposed to dangerous cold include those who lack shelter, work outdoors and/or live in homes with malfunctioning or inadequate heat. Seniors, infants, people with chronic cardiovascular or lung conditions, people using alcohol or drugs and people with cognitive impairments such as from dementia, serious mental illness or developmental disability are at increased risk.

Safety Tips for Motorists

• If you must drive a vehicle, monitor weather and traffic reports for the latest road conditions. Use mass transportation whenever possible.
• Use major streets or highways for travel when possible as these roadways will be cleared first.
• Drive slowly. Vehicles, including those with 4-wheel drive, take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.

Winter Weather Precautions

• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• When outdoors, wear warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Use multiple layers to maintain warmth.
• Wear a hat, hood, or scarf, as most heat is lost through the head.
• Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.
• Keep clothing dry; if a layer becomes wet, remove it.
• Report any loss of heat or hot water to property managers immediately, and call 311.
• If homes lack heat, get to a warm place, if possible, and wear extra layers of dry, loose-fitting clothing, hats and gloves to help stay warm.
• Never use a gas stove to heat your home. Carbon Monoxide is colorless and odorless and overtime will build-up in your blood causing symptoms that can easily be mistaken for the flu – headaches, fatigue, nausea and drowsiness. Sometimes your pets will show symptoms first. If anyone in your family is showing symptoms, call 911.
• Electric space heaters are the only kind of space heater legal in New York City and should turn off automatically when tipped over. Space heaters should be kept far from combustible and flammable objects, as well as water.
• If you are concerned about someone on the street who may be homeless and in need of assistance, call 311 and ask for the Mobile Outreach Response Team. The Department of Homeless Services will send an outreach team to the location to assess the individual’s condition and take appropriate action. Special protocols are in effect when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. No one seeking shelter in New York City will be denied.

More Information
For more helpful tips for staying warm and safe, view NYC Emergency Management’s winter weather video, or visit NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement. 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:  Nancy Silvestri/Omar Bourne                     (718) 422-4888