FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES WEATHER UPDATE FOR AM AND PM COMMUTE THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015

Heaviest snow expected Thursday AM, with low visibilities and dangerous driving conditions

Total of 4-8 inches expected to fall by Thursday afternoon

March 4, 2015 — The New York City Office of Emergency Management today issued a hazardous travel advisory for 4 – 8 inches of snow across the city on Thursday, creating dangerous driving conditions during the morning and evening commutes. Reduced visibilities, icy roads, and snow accumulations will create hazardous rush hour travel conditions. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for all five boroughs through 7:00PM Thursday. The heaviest snow is expected early Thursday morning, with 2 to 4 inches of snow accumulation expected by 7:00AM tomorrow. Narrows bands of heavy snow may develop during the morning rush, with snowfall rates of 1 – 2 inches per hour and visibilities of ¼ mile or less possible. An additional 2 -4 inches of snow is expected between 7:00AM and 4:00PM before the snow begins to taper off. Breezy conditions may lead to blowing snow and reduced visibilities during the Thursday evening commute. New Yorkers are urged to use mass transit where possible on Thursday. If you have to drive, exercise extreme caution. Allow for additional travel time and anticipate weather-related delays, especially during the morning commute.

Treating Icy Roadways and Snow Preparation
The NYC Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert beginning 11:00PM Wednesday, March 4, 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 1,600 plows available to address plowing needs once there are more than 2 inches of accumulation. PlowNYC will be available at NYC.gov/severeweather to track the progress of City plows. During major snow clearing operations, trash and recycling pickups will be either suspended or delayed.

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. 470 DOT personnel will be dedicated to snow removal efforts.

Parking

Alternate Side Parking rules are suspended Thursday, March 5, 2015 for Purim.

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.
• Have a heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
• Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls from icy conditions.
• Prolonged exposure to extreme cold weather can be dangerous. If you suspect a person is suffering from frostbite or hypothermia, call 911 to get medical help. While waiting for assistance, help the person by getting them to a warm place if possible, removing any damp clothing and covering them with warm blankets.
• When outdoors, wear warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Use multiple layers to maintain warmth.
• Wear a hat, hood, or scarf, as most heat is lost through the head.
• Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.
• Keep clothing dry; if a layer becomes wet, remove it.
• Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor's advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Remember, your body is already working hard just to stay warm, so don't overdo it.
• 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. For more helpful winter weather tips, view NYC Emergency Management's winter weather video, visit NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement.

CONTACT:  Nancy Silvestri/Omar Bourne                     (718) 422-4888