#07-24
 

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR EXPECTED SNOW ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, THAT WILL IMPACT THE EVENING’S COMMUTE, WITH COLD TEMPERATURES REMAINING UNTIL MONDAY

Alternate Side Parking will be Suspended on Friday, Meters Are Still in Effect
 

January 18, 2024 – The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a Travel Advisory for Friday, January 19, for snow and possible impacts to the evening commute. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook in effect citywide for tomorrow. Light snow is expected throughout the day as a low pressure system passes offshore to our south. A few flurries are possible tonight, but accumulating snowfall most likely begins between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. tomorrow and begins to taper off in the afternoon, coming to an end sometime between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Snowfall totals of around 3 inches at rates of a half inch an hour or less are expected in New York City. Totals of 4 to 5 inches are possible if the storm tracks closer to the coast, or may be as little as 1 inch or less if it tracks further offshore. This will be an all-snow event with no changeover in precipitation type. No impacts are anticipated for the morning commute, but snow and slush-covered roads alongside low visibility are likely for the evening commute, resulting in travel delays.

Cold conditions continue through the weekend, allowing snow to stick around. Temperatures will remain several degrees below the norm with lows in the low 20s to upper teens and wind chills in the teens to single digits. Even colder air moves over the area following the storm. Wind chills could approach zero over the weekend with gusty winds of 20 to 30 mph. Sub-freezing temperatures will persist until Monday. Melting of snow and a refreeze will be possible Monday night.

  

“With more snow expected throughout the day tomorrow, our city agencies are prepared, and we encourage all New Yorkers to plan for a messier commute and take the necessary precautions to remain safe,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We’ll continue to keep New Yorkers updated about what to expect and, as always, the best way to stay safe is to stay informed — sign up for NotifyNYC to get the latest information directly from the city.”

“As we prepare for another round of snow and cold temperatures this weekend, we encourage New Yorkers to prepare a plan for tomorrow’s slippery and messy evening commute,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “We are in constant contact with our partner agencies, to ensure that there are no disruptions to services during this latest weather event. With temperatures remaining sub-freezing until Monday, don’t forget to check on friends, family and neighbors.”

NYC Emergency Management has proactively activated the City's Winter Weather Emergency Plan in response to the forecasted conditions. This includes conducting coordination calls with the National Weather Service and city and state agencies and utility partners, and bolstering staffing at the Emergency Operations Center, which is already operational due to the city's ongoing asylum seeker operations. The administration announced that Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended tomorrow, Friday January 19, 2024. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the city.

As part of the Winter Weather Emergency Plan, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a Snow Alert and is pre-deploying over 700 salt spreaders to pretreat roadways ahead of the first snowflake and is prepared to dispatch plows in all sectors when more than two inches of snow accumulates. During a Snow Alert, the Department collaborates closely with NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation to implement snow clearing protocols, adhering to the detailed snow plans established by each agency. DSNY will be tracking operations via its new Bladerunner 2.0 platform, allowing real-time adjustments as conditions require. Every street is on a route and, for the first time, every route can be dispatched at the same time.

The NYC Department of Homeless Services has issued a Code Blue and outreach teams will canvass all five boroughs to connect our most vulnerable New Yorkers to shelters. No one who is homeless and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied. For the most immediate response, New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be experiencing homelessness and in need should contact 311 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance.

Residential building owners are legally required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when the temperatures fall below 55 degrees outside during the day and a minimum of 62 degrees indoors overnight, regardless of outdoor temperatures. If an apartment lacks appropriate heat, a tenant should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should register an official complaint via 311. Tenants can call 311, visit 311 online at NYC.gov/311, or use the 311 mobile app (on Android and iOS devices) to file a complaint. Hearing-impaired tenants can register complaints via a Touchtone Device for the Deaf TDD at (212) 504-4115. 

NYCEM urges all New Yorkers to prioritize their safety by remaining alert and well-informed, including with real-time updates by subscribing to NotifyNYC and listening to news broadcasts for the latest weather information. NYCEM strongly encourages all New Yorkers to take proactive steps to ensure their own safety and support the city’s resilience:

• NYCEM offers New Yorkers tips on staying safe before, during, and after winter storms at on.nyc.gov/winterweather.  
• Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the city will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including NotifyNYC. Sign up for emergency notifications online or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter. 
• Allow for extra travel time and expect delays with little to no notice. Use public transportation whenever possible.
• If you have to go outdoors, wear dry, warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered. Wear a hat, hood, scarf, and gloves.
• Shivering is an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Shivering is a signal to return indoors. 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. Older New Yorkers and those with disabilities, access, and functional needs should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls. 
• Be safe at work. Workers who spend a lot of time outdoors are at risk for cold-related health impacts. If you are an employer, implement safe work practices, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train workers on how to stay safe during cold and winter weather.
• If you must drive, drive slowly. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
• Always have an emergency kit in your car. It should include items like blankets, a flashlight, water, snacks, a first aid kit, and a snow shovel.
• Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed. 
• If you require assistance for daily activities, make arrangements in advance for support during the expected weather, ensuring caregivers are aware of and prepared for the weather conditions.
• Charge your phones and keep a flashlight and batteries handy. If you lose power and have a disability and/or use life-sustaining equipment and need immediate assistance, call 911.
• To report power outages, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call your power provider immediately to report the outage. Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 800-75-CONED (752-6633) (TTY: 800-642-2308). You can also report an outage online on Con Edison's website. National Grid’s 24-hour hotline is 718-643-4050 (TTY: 718-237-2857). PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour hotline is 800-490-0025 (TTY: 631-755-6660).

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for NotifyNYC, the city’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. NotifyNYC is available in 14 languages, including American Sign Language. To learn more about the NotifyNYC program or to sign up, New Yorkers can visit the NotifyNYC website, call 311, or download the free NotifyNYC app for your Android or Apple device. You can now text to 692-692, using the code NOTIFYNYC, NOTIFYNYCESP (Spanish), and NOTIFYFRE (French) to be instantly enrolled to receive the highest priority, verified alerts across all the five boroughs. 

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