For Immediate Release
#4-19

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY EVENING AND FRIDAY

Wintry mix of snow and rain could affect NYC Thursday evening through Friday

January 16, 2019 — The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Thursday evening and Friday. According to the latest National Weather Service (NWS) forecast, a weak low-pressure system may bring a wintry mix of light snow and rain to the New York City area beginning Thursday evening and continuing into Friday afternoon. Light snow could begin Thursday evening, continuing overnight before changing over to rain early Friday morning. The rain should taper off by noon on Friday, but a lingering shower is possible into Friday afternoon. A total of an inch of snow accumulation is in the forecast, with a slight possibility for higher amounts of two inches.

NYC Emergency Management will continue to work closely with NWS to monitor the weather and any potential impacts associated with the wintry mix. New Yorkers should prepare for slippery road conditions, and exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking. Whether traveling for work, errands or recreation, please consider taking public transportation whenever possible.

“We are expecting a wintry mix of snow and rain that can cause slippery road conditions during the Thursday evening and Friday commutes,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “We advise you to take caution, allow for extra travel time, and wherever possible, consider taking mass transit.”

Safety Tips

• Drive slowly. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
• Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they stop less quickly than other vehicles.
• Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.
• Know your vehicle’s braking system. Vehicles with anti-lock brakes require a different braking technique than vehicles without anti-lock brakes in snowy conditions.
• If you are driving and begin to skid, ease your foot off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Straighten the wheel when the car moves in the desired direction. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump the brakes on an ABS equipped vehicle.
• Try to keep your vehicle’s gas tank as full as possible.
• 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.
• Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.
• Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

• The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is readying 695 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. DSNY will activate PlowNYC and will dispatch 1000 plows if more than two inches of snow accumulates on roadways.
• DSNY will assign workers to 12-hour shifts beginning at 7 a.m. Thursday.
• Residents should follow their normal collection schedule and place their material on the curb. There may be delays in collection during snow operations.

• DOT’s Bridges Division will pre-deploy crews to East River Bridges.Crews will pre-salt and monitor Municipal Parking lots, and will address conditions as needed.
• DOT’s Arterial, Parking and Citywide Concrete Units, will pre-salt and monitor pedestrian overpasses, muni lots and step streets.
• DOT’s Ferry Division will pre-salt and clear walkways at the ferry terminal. Ferry vessels are currently expected to operate on a normal schedule, but passengers are advised to allow extra time for travel.
• 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.

Department of Education

• NYC public schools will be open Thursday, January 17, and Friday, January 18. All after-school activities will continue as scheduled. Bus routes may experience delays. For any questions about busing, please contact the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT): 718-392-8855. The OPT call center will open at 5 a.m. and DOE will be in close communication with NYPD, DOT, and NYC Emergency Management for any early indicators of potential issues.

Department of Parks and Recreation

• NYC Parks is readying its plow vehicles, salt spreaders, snow blowers and brushes for snow removal as needed. Parks prioritizes snow removal in areas like park perimeters and commuter hubs; once perimeter sidewalks are complete, Parks will clear interior pathways.

Code Blue

• 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 8 p.m. during Code Blue Alerts and once every two (2) hours beginning at 8 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.

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