Mayor de Blasio Delivers Winter Storm Response Update

March 14, 2017

Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday

NEW YORK – Mayor de Blasio today updated New Yorkers on the winter storm. The National Weather Service has canceled the Blizzard Warning. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday. A Wind Advisory is also in effect until 6 p.m. today. According to the latest forecast, the winter storm will bring a wintry mix of snow, sleet and rain, along with strong winds and minor to locally moderate flooding along the most vulnerable coastlines and shore roads. The latest forecast anticipates approximately 4 to 8 inches of snow accumulation.

 “The worst of the storm has passed, and our snow accumulation totals have been downgraded,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “But it’s cold and windy, and we are urging New Yorkers to stay off of the roads to allow our Sanitation department to clear the roads.”

“Our Emergency Operation Center is activated and we’re continuing to work with our City, state, federal, and private-sector partners to coordinate the City’s response to the storm,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “We’ll continue to monitor all conditions until the storm has move out of our area.”

Latest Forecast

The National Weather Service has canceled the Blizzard Warning. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday. A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow and sleet will cause travel difficulties. According to the latest forecast, snow will transition to sleet, then rain by midday. The precipitation will change back to snow, before ending this evening. A total accumulation of 4 to 8 inches is anticipated, but locally higher amounts are possible.
A Wind Advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. today.  Strong winds are expected, with speeds 25 – 35mph, and gusts up to 50 mph. 

The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory Tuesday for Manhattan until 4 p.m. today. A Costal Flood Warning is in effect from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for The Bronx and areas along the northern shores of Queens. Minor to moderate flooding of the most vulnerable shore roads and/or properties is possible. Coastal residents should be alert for updates and take action to protect property. The National Weather Service has issued an Areal Flood Advisory for Queens until 1:15 p.m. The combination of rain and melting snow, in addition to storm drains covered by accumulations from earlier snowfall will result in minor flooding across poor drainage areas. New Yorkers should not drive vehicles into areas where water
covers roadways.

Schools 

• All New York City public schools are closed. After-school programs, adult education, YABC programs, and PSAL activities are also canceled.

Parking and Trash Collection

• Alternate Side Parking is suspended today and Wednesday, March 15, to facilitate snow removal operations. Parking meters remain in effect throughout the City.
• Garbage/recycling/organics collections are suspended to facilitate snow removal.

Travel

• Motorists are advised to stay off the roads. If you must travel allow for extra time, use mass transportation whenever possible, and anticipate delays. New Yorkers are also urged to exercise caution and minimize walking outdoors, as conditions are expected to be slippery.

Ferry and Citi Bike Service

• The Staten Island Ferry is expected to run on a normal schedule, but all passengers should allow extra time should weather conditions impact the schedule.
• East River Ferry Service is suspended until further notice.
• Seastreak Ferry service is suspended until further notice.
• Citi Bike service is suspended until further notice.
• Staten Island Ferry is running every 30 minutes during the morning rush hour.

Buses and Subways

• MTA above-ground subway service is suspended.
• MTA subway express service is suspended.
• MTA underground subway service is running; expect delays.
• NYC buses are operating at a reduced level, but expect service cancellations and potential suspensions. Access-A-Ride paratransit service is cancelled, except for emergencies.
• Metro-North service is suspended.
• LIRR is operating on a normal schedule; customers should anticipate delays.

Senior Centers and Recreational Centers

• All DFTA and NYCHA senior centers are closed.New Yorkers are asked to check on their neighbors, friends, and relatives — especially the elderly and those with disabilities and access and functional needs.
• All Department of Parks and Recreation Recreational Centers are closed.

Roadways

• You can make a complaint about snowy or icy roadways. When a storm operation is underway, these complaints are used to monitor the storm and there is no response to individual plowing or spreading requests. After the storm operation ends, individual complaints will receive a response.
• You can go to PlowNYC to see plowing progress in real-time.

Sidewalks

• Property owners must clear snow from their sidewalks. After owners have had an appropriate amount of time to shovel, you can make a complaint about snowy or icy sidewalks.

DSNY

• The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has 689 salt spreaders and 1600 plows out across the five boroughs. PlowNYC is tracking the work  of these plows. Plowing progress can be followed via PlowNYC at nyc.gov/plownyc.
• DSNY has assigned 2,400 workers per shift. Workers were assigned to 12 hour shifts.
• DSNY has 290,000 tons of rock salt available.

DOT 

• DOT has pre-treated pedestrian overpasses and step streets. Ferry terminals were pre-salted in advance of the storm.
• DOT crews have used anti-icing trucks on the East River Bridges to keep the road decks passable and are continuing snow clearing operations as needed.
• During snow operations, DOT typically deploys more than 500 personnel and more than 300 pieces of equipment, including nearly 80 trucks for plowing over several shifts.

NYC Emergency Management

• NYC Emergency Management continues to work closely with the National Weather Service throughout the storm.
• NYC Emergency Management has activated the City’s Emergency Operations Center with approximately 90 representatives per shift representing 34 city, state, and federal agency partners.
• NYC Emergency Management continues to update elected officials with the latest information regarding the storm’s track and potential impact to the City.

Homeless Services

• A Code Blue Weather Emergency notice is issued when the temperature drops to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m., including National Weather Service calculations for wind chill values. 
• No one who is reasonably believed to be homeless and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied. Should you see a homeless individual out in the cold, please call 311 and an outreach team will be dispatched to offer assistance. 
• Code Blue Weather Emergencies include the following options for the homeless: shelters, drop-in centers, safe havens and stabilization beds, and street homeless outreach.

DOB

• DOB has advised property owners, contractors, and crane operators to take precautionary measures during the storm.
• The Department will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the City. If sites are not secured, the Department will take immediate enforcement action –issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary.