FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
#6-16 

 

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY AM AND PM RUSH

 

Rain and snow are expected Thursday night through Friday, creating slippery road conditions for the morning and evening commutes

 

February 4, 2016 — The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Friday, February 5, 2016. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 1:00 AM through 10:00 AM Friday. Rain is expected to begin around 7:00 PM Thursday and will change over to snow around 3:00 AM Friday. Snow will continue through the early morning commute and will taper off around 10:00 AM. A total snow accumulation of 2-4 inches is predicted, with the heaviest snow expected to fall between 3:00 AM and 9:00 AM Friday. Temperatures Thursday night are forecast to be at or below freezing. Daytime temperatures Friday will be in the low 40s, but nighttime temperatures will drop to the high 20s, creating the potential for slick road conditions. New Yorkers are asked to exercise caution and be prepared for limited visibility and slippery road conditions. Please allow for extra travel time during the morning and evening commutes.

Treating Roadways and Snow Preparation

The NYC Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert beginning 1:00 AM Friday, February 5, 2016 and is pre-deploying 579 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. In addition, DSNY will have 1000 plows available in anticipation of any plowing needs (more than 2 inches of accumulation).

1000 Sanitation workers will be assigned to the overnight shift.

The Department of Transportation will deploy anti-icing units to each of the East River bridges.

Parking

Alternate Side Parking rules will be suspended Friday, February 5, 2016 to facilitate snow removal. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the City.

Safety Tips

New Yorkers are also encouraged to take the following precautions:

• Drive slowly. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
• Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they do not stop quicker than other vehicles.
• Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.
• Know your vehicle’s braking system. Vehicles with anti-lock brakes require a different braking technique than vehicles without anti-lock brakes snowy conditions.
• If you are driving and begin to skid, ease your foot off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Straighten the wheel when the car moves in the desired direction. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump the brakes on an ABS equipped vehicle.
• Try to keep your vehicle’s gas tank as full as possible.
• Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your car in case you break down or become stuck.
• 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.
• Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.

More Information

For more safety tips, view NYC.gov/Emergency Management's public service video announcement or visit NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit NYC.gov/notifynyc, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

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

STAY CONNECTED: Twitter: @NotifyNYC (emergency notifications)
@nycoem (emergency preparedness info)

Facebook: /NYCemergencymanagement