Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Snow expected Friday creating dangerous travel conditions for AM and PM Commutes

March 19, 2015 — The New York City Office of Emergency Management today issued a travel advisory for Friday March 20, 2015. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 6 AM Friday through 2 AM Saturday, March 21, 2015. Snow will begin Friday morning and will continue throughout the day. The snow will begin to intensify in the afternoon with the heaviest snow expected to fall during the Friday evening rush. The snow will taper off late Friday evening. A total of 4 to 6 inches of snow accumulation is expected with this event. Temperatures will remain unseasonably low during this period. High temperatures on Friday are expected to be near 36 degrees, with wind chill values between 25 and 30 degrees. Low temperatures Friday night are expected to be around 28 degrees. Temperatures Saturday will increase to around 46 degrees. New Yorkers are asked to exercise caution and be prepared for limited visibility and slippery conditions when traveling.

Treating Icy Roadways and Snow Preparation
The NYC Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert beginning 9 AM Friday, March 20, 2015, and is pre-deploying 500 salt spreaders across the five boroughs to treat arterial highways, bus routes, school streets, hilly roads, etc. In addition, DSNY will have more than 800 plows available to address plowing needs if necessary (more than 2 inches of accumulation). Trash and recycling pickups will be made on a normal Friday schedule.

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.

Parking
Alternate Side Parking rules remain in effect. To stay up-to-date on emergency alternate side parking suspensions, sign up for email alerts, follow @NYCASP on Twitter, or call 311.

Safety Tips

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Have a heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
  • Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls from slippery conditions.
  • Workers in construction and utilities, and others who spend a lot of time outdoors are at risk for cold-related disorders. Employers should implement safe work practices, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train workers on health effects of cold weather, proper prevention techniques, and treatment of cold-related disorders.

More Information

New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City's free emergency notification system, for weather, traffic, and transportation updates. 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