FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
4-15 

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR SATURDAY

Wintry mix of snow and rain may impact travel and cause dangerous conditions

January 23, 2015 — The New York City Office of Emergency Management today issued a Travel Advisory for Saturday, January 24, 2015. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from midnight until 6:00 PM. Saturday. Light snow is expected to begin around 11:00 PM Friday, with the bulk of snowfall occurring between midnight and 6:00 AM. After 6:00 AM, precipitation will change over to mostly rain, with some sleet and a trace of ice accumulation. Light snow is possible during the early afternoon and evening hours and will taper off around 6:00 PM Saturday. A total of 2-5 inches of snow is predicted throughout the event, with wind gusts of 30-40 mph expected late Saturday afternoon. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, especially during the morning hours. As temperatures fall below freezing on Saturday, conditions may remain slippery after precipitation ends.

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

Treating Icy Roadways and Snow Removal
The NYC Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert beginning Friday at 10:00 PM and is pre-deploying 424 salt spreaders. PLOWNYC will be activated beginning at 7:00 PM Friday and DSNY will have 1500 plows available in anticipation of any plowing needs (more than 2 inches of accumulation).

Sanitation workers will be assigned to two 12-hour shifts.

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.

Ferries
The Staten Island Ferry and East River Ferry are operating on normal schedules.

Safety Tips
NYC Emergency Management encourages New Yorkers 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; 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.

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