FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
12-02
Friday, January 20, 2012

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES HAZARDOUS TRAVEL ADVISORY – ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING SUSPENDED SATURDAY

The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) today issued a Hazardous Travel Advisory for late Friday night through Saturday night. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for New York City beginning at 1 AM Saturday morning and ending at 4 PM. Three to five inches of snow are expected with a mix of sleet and rain in some areas. As temperatures increase Saturday accumulating snow will begin to melt. However, as temperatures fall below freezing Saturday night, the moisture will refreeze and there is a potential for black ice.    

The New York City Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Department of Sanitation, today announced that Alternate Side Parking Regulations are suspended citywide tomorrow, Saturday, January 21, 2012, to facilitate snow removal.

All winter weather information and information about the City’s response to the storm can be found by visiting the City’s Severe Weather Website at www.nyc.gov or by calling 311. Residents also are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC alerts, which provide information about severe weather events and emergencies, by signing up for email or text message alerts at www.nyc.gov or following by @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

OEM strongly recommends those traveling use of mass transit and avoid unnecessary driving during and immediately after the snow storm. Residents should take the following precautions:

Motorists:

• If you must drive a vehicle, monitor weather and traffic reports for the latest road conditions.
• Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible as these roadways will be cleared first.
• Drive slowly. Vehicles, including those with 4-wheel drive, take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
• 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 the snow.
• If you get stuck on the road stay with your car and contact a towing company.

Pedestrians:

• Exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces.
• Wear layers including a hat, gloves and scarf to stay protected from the cold. And, keep clothes and shoes dry.
• Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections. 

Property Owners:

• Fire Hydrants: Snow covered fire hydrants are a potentially dangerous condition that may impede fire fighting operations. Property owners are urged to clear snow from fire hydrants in front of or adjacent to their property.
• Snow and Ice Removal: All builders, contractors, and property owners are reminded to take preventative action to safely remove ice and snow from flat top roofs, overhangs, and awnings and secure their construction sites and buildings in preparation for the coming storm.

Contact: Chris Gilbride (718) 422-4888