Mayor de Blasio Issues Severe Weather Warning for New York City

February 1, 2015

Video available at: https://youtu.be/xQQZ_zwqwR8

Snow, sleet, and freezing rain will create dangerous travel conditions Sunday evening and during Monday morning and evening rush hour commutes

NEW YORK—Mayor de Blasio today issued a severe weather warning and hazardous travel advisory for Monday, February 2. A mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will create slick and hazardous travel conditions throughout the day Monday. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Sunday evening, February 1, through 6:00 PM Monday, February 2.

NWS is currently forecasting anywhere from 2 to 7 inches of snow accumulation in New York City, along with up to ¼ inch of ice accumulation throughout the day Monday. Light snow will begin at approximately 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Sunday evening, with minor accumulation by midnight. Snow will become heavy overnight, with 2 to 4 inches of snow accumulation expected. Snow will transition to sleet and freezing rain with an accumulation of up to ¼ of an inch of ice during the Monday morning hours.

Freezing rain will transition back to snow by noon on Monday, with an additional 1 to 2 inches of snow accumulation expected. With temperatures falling below freezing Monday evening, any standing water can re-freeze and create dangerous icing conditions for the Monday evening commute.

Parking
Alternate Side Parking rules are suspended Monday for snow removal. Parking meters remain in effect throughout the city.

Refuse & Recycling Collection
Refuse and recycling collections will be suspended Monday to allow for snow clearing operations.

Treating Icy Roadways and Snow Removal
The NYC Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert beginning Sunday at 5:00 PM and is pre-deploying more than 500 salt spreaders. PLOWNYC will be activated and 1600 plows will be dispatched when more than two inches of snow accumulates.

Sanitation workers have been assigned to two 12-hour shifts for over a week, with 2400 workers per shift.

The Department of Transportation will deploy anti-icing units to each of the East River bridges and is pre-treating pedestrian overpasses and step streets.

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

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; these roadways will be cleared first.
• Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they do not stop quicker than other vehicles.
• Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your car in case you break down or become stuck in snow.
• If you get stuck on the road, stay with your car and contact a towing company.

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.

Winter Weather Tips

• 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.
• Never use a kerosene or propane space heater, charcoal or gas grill, or generator indoors or near the home.
• When outdoors, wear warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Use multiple layers to maintain warmth.
• Homeless Services: Special protocols are in effect when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. No one seeking shelter in New York City will be denied. Anyone who sees a homeless individual or family out in the cold should call 311 immediately and an outreach team will be dispatched to assist them.
• Check on your neighbors, friends, and relatives ― especially the elderly and those with disabilities and access and functional needs. People most likely to be exposed to dangerous winter weather conditions 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.

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.