FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
#11-16 

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY

Wintry mix of snow, freezing rain, and rain may impact travel and cause dangerously slick driving conditions

Minor coastal flooding possible during Tuesday morning and evening high tide cycles

February 14, 2016 — The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Monday, February 15, 2016 and Tuesday, February 16. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 1:00 PM Monday through midnight. Light snow is expected to begin Monday morning and is forecast to transition to freezing rain Monday evening. Freezing rain is expected to change over to rain around midnight. Rain continues through Tuesday before abating Tuesday evening. A total of 1-4 inches of snow, a trace of ice, and 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches of rain are predicted throughout the event. High winds are predicted Tuesday, with sustained winds of 20-25 mph, and gusts up to 30-40 mph. Temperatures Monday are forecast to be in the mid-30s, and will continue to increase to mid-50s Tuesday. Minor coastal flooding is possible during Tuesday morning and evening high tide cycles. New Yorkers are asked to exercise caution and be prepared for limited visibility and slick, slippery road conditions. Please allow for extra travel time during your commutes. NYC residents living in coastal areas expected to experience minor coastal flooding should take action to protect their property.

SNOW PREPARATIONS

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).

DSNY

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a Snow Alert effective 9:00 AM Monday, February 15th, 2016, and will pre-deploy 579 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. In addition, DSNY will have 1,600 plows available in anticipation of any plowing needs (more than 2 inches of accumulation).

1,000 Sanitation workers will be assigned.

DOT

The Department of Transportation will deploy anti-icing units to each of the East River bridges. The Staten Island Ferry is expected to run on a holiday schedule, with crews clearing snow from terminals as needed. JC Decaux has pretreated more than 3000 bus shelters throughout the city. Citi Bike is expected to remain in service.

Alternate Side Parking rules are suspended Monday, February 15th for President's Day. Parking meters 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.

COASTAL FLOODING PREPARATIONS

NYC residents living in coastal areas expected to experience minor coastal flooding should take the following preparedness steps:

• Prepare a Go Bag that you can grab in case you need to leave your home in a hurry.
• Learn the safest route from your home or workplace to safe, high ground in case you have to evacuate. This should be part of your household emergency plan.
• If you live in a flood-susceptible area, keep materials, such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber, on hand to help protect your home.
• Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels.
• If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving or use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• When outside, avoid walking and driving through flooded areas. As few as six inches of moving water can knock a person over. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. One or two feet of water can carry away a vehicle.

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

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