Release # 067-01

 

Contact:	Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter	(212) 788-2958
	Peter Fenty (Sanitation)	(212) 788-3917
	Frank McCarton (OEM)	(212) 442-2031
	Tom Cocola (Transportation)	(212) 442-7033

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani--joined by Sanitation Commissioner Kevin Farrell and Office of Emergency Management Director Richard J. Sheirer, and Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall--today urged New Yorkers to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their families and property from the potential impact of the approaching winter storm.

Mayor Giuliani said, "The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the New York City metropolitan area. I urge all New Yorkers to take the necessary precautions, and I urge them to keep themselves updated on radio and television as to the storm progresses. City officials will be issuing updates as information become available at the Command Center. The City's Emergency Operation Center will be activated at xx am on DAY and will continue to operate around the clock.

"No other City in the country is better prepared or better equipped to deal with weather conditions of this kind. Our record is exemplary, and I have full confidence that, working together, all of the relevant City agencies will rise to the challenge and minimize the effects of this snowfall to the extent possible," the Mayor continued.

Sanitation Commissioner Farrell said, "Even in the very worst of snowstorms, the Department of Sanitation keeps New York City moving. As we have shown in the most recent snowstorms, we are working hard to extend that record of success. But we are also asking that New Yorkers stay off the roadways once the snow begins, to allow us to plow the streets more efficiently. Please stay home if you can, and if you must travel, please use public transportation." Commissioner Farrell added, "We are also asking New Yorkers to anticipate the possibility of a snow emergency being put into effect. People should not park their cars on streets designated as Snow Emergency Routes."

OEM Director Sheirer said, "Preparedness is a key factor in dealing with any emergency. Numerous precautions can be taken to make sure that the risk of danger or injury is minimized during and after this potentially dangerous storm. The Mayor and I urge all New Yorkers to follow the precautions listed."

DOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall said, "We are committed to working with the Office of Emergency Management, Department of Sanitation, and NYPD to ensure public safety. I strongly urge everyone to utilize mass transportation, if travel is necessary this holiday weekend, and please use caution."

WHAT TO DO BEFORE A STORM STRIKES

Stay tuned for storm warnings: Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.

Know what winter storm WATCHES and WARNINGS mean:

• A WINTER STORM WATCH means a winter storm is possible in your area.
  
• A WINTER STORM WARNING means a winter storm is headed for your area.
  
• A BLIZZARD WARNING means strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chills are expected for several hours.

Prepare a winter storm plan and a disaster supplies kit containing:

• Extra blankets.
  
• A warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots for each member of your family.
  
• First aid kit and essential medications.
  
• Battery-powered NOAA Weather radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
  
• Canned food and manual can opener.
  
• Bottled water (at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days).
  
• Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, and a hat, because winter clothing often gets wet.

You should also:

• Have your car winterized before winter storm season, and assemble a disaster supplies kit for your car as well.
  
• Service snow removal equipment, and have rock salt on hand to melt ice on walkways. Kitty litter can be used to generate temporary traction.
  
• Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel; Regular fuel sources may be cut off.
  
• Winterize your home: Insulate walls and attic; caulk and weather-strip doors and windows; install storm windows, or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
  
• Have safe emergency heating equipment available: For residences with functioning fireplaces, keep an ample supply of wood; utilize portable electric space heaters.
  
• Install and check smoke detectors.
  
• Keep pipes from freezing: Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers; cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture; let faucets drip a little to help prevent freezing; know how to shut off water valves.
  
• Develop a family communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during a winter storm (a real possibility during the day, when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
  
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serves as the "family contact." During and after an incident, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
  
• Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a severe winter storm. Teach children how and when to call 911, the Police and Fire Departments, and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
  
• Check in on relatives, friends, and neighbors who may need assistance preparing for a storm.
  
• When a winter storm WATCH or WARNING is issued: Listen to NOAA Radio, local radio, and TV stations, or cable TV such as The Weather Channel for updates. Be alert to changing weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel.

WHAT TO DO DURING A STORM

If you are outside:

• Dress Warmly - Wear loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing. Several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Layers can also be removed to prevent perspiration and chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
  
• Medical Health - If you have any medical conditions that could prevent you from outside activities, speak to your physician to see if it is recommended that you perform these activities.
  
• Cover Your Extremities - With cold temperatures it is very important that you cover your hands, feet and head, as warmth is lost rapidly through these body areas. Don't wear earrings or necklaces as these metals cause these areas to get colder faster. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each other.
  
• Don't Drink Alcoholic Beverages - The perception that Alcoholic Beverages keep you warm in cold weather is a falsehood. In fact, the drinking of these beverages in a cold winter environment effects your body's ability to stay warm. It also prevents you from realizing that the cold weather is effecting you.
  
• Don't smoke - Smoking outside in a cold environment reduces your body's ability to stay warm. It allows cold air into your lungs and reduces blood flow to your feet, arms and head causing you to get colder faster.
  
• Stretch before you go out - If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body. This may prevent injury.
  
• Cover your mouth - Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors. Try not to speak unless absolutely necessary.
• Avoid Overexertion - Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unfamiliar exercise, such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Take frequent rest breaks, and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
  
• Keep Dry - Change wet clothes frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.
  
• Stay Safe - Walk carefully on snowy or icy sidewalks. If using a snowblower, NEVER use your hands to unclog the machine.
  
• Maintain an Awareness of Utilities When Shoveling Snow - Do not cover fire hydrants with snow when clearing sidewalks and driveways; do not shovel snow into manholes and catch basins.
  
• Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance: infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities.

If you are inside:

• Stay indoors and dress warmly.
  
• Conserve Fuel - Lower the thermostat to 65 degrees during the day and 55 degrees at night. Close off unused rooms.
  
• If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate).
  
• Listen to the radio or television to get the latest information.
  
• Check in with neighbors, friends, or relatives who may need your help.

If The Power Goes Off:

• Use a battery-powered radio to find out official information about the storm.
  
• Turn off electrical appliances that were on when the power went off to avoid a power surge and possible damage to them when power is restored.
  
• If power will be out a long time, consider going to a Red Cross shelter, hotel, or someone else's home ONLY after the roads are passable and authorities say it is safe to travel.
  
• Use flashlights to see. Do not use candles because they greatly increase the chances of having a fire in your home. Candles are easily forgotten or knocked over, and it's too easy for children to play with them when you're not looking.

Safety Tips For Portable Space Heating Equipment

• Use equipment that is approved for indoor use.
  
• Keep combustible materials, including furniture, drapes, and carpeting at least 3 feet away from the heat source.
  
• Always keep an eye on the equipment. Never leave children alone in the room where a space heater is running. Turn it off when you are unable to closely monitor it.
  
• Dry mittens, gloves, socks, and scarves in a clothes dryer. NEVER drape them over a space heater to dry.
  

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

If a snow emergency is declared, the following restrictions will go into effect on the City's network of 250 snow emergency streets and routes:

• Parking and standing will be banned on snow emergency streets.
  
• Use of parking meters on these streets will be prohibited.
  
• Any vehicles now parked on these streets must be removed by the time of the emergency.
  
• Any vehicle parked on a snow emergency street is subject to ticketing and towing.
  
• All arterial streets are snow emergency streets and all limited access expressways and parkways are snow emergency routes. They are identified by red signs with white lettering.

In the event of a snow emergency declaration by the Department of Transportation, Alternate Side Parking (ASP) regulations will be suspended. Any parking restrictions, which normally precede or follow the alternate side regulations, will remain in effect. There would be no suspension of parking meter or no standing regulations on other arterials.

In preparation for the possible snow emergency, the Department of Transportation will do the following:

• Deploy five anti-icing spray trucks along the four East River Bridges to prevent the snow from sticking to the roadways. (Two trucks at Queensboro Bridge; and one each for the Williamsburg, Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges.)
  
• DOT crews will also be on hand for snow removal on our movable bridges.
  
• 76 trucks will be provided to the Department of Sanitation for snow removal. Crews will be working in two 12-hour shifts.
  
• Extra personnel will be on hand to monitor the flow of traffic on our roadways, arterials and bridges. They will be stationed at Traffic Management Center in Queens, and also at the OEM Command Center in Lower Manhattan.
  
• Ferry service should run on a normal schedule, however be advised that the US Coast Guard, which monitors New York Harbor, has the discretion to suspend car-carrying ferry service due to high winds. Individuals can call CALL-DOT (212 and 718 area codes) for ferry information.

The DOT's franchised buses will operate on a normal weekend schedule. Please contact: Command Bus Company at (718) 277-8100; Green Bus Lines at (718) 474-9459; Jamaica Buses at (718) 526-0800; Liberty Lines Express at (718) 652-8400; New York Bus Service at (718) 994-5500; Queens Surface Corp. at (718) 445-3100; Triboro Coach Corp. at (718) 335-1000.