NYCEM Points Hazardous Travel Advisory for Sunday, Feb. 22 By means of Monday, Feb. 23 Forward of Blizzard

NEW YORK — New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) has issued a Hazardous Travel Advisory for New York City starting Sunday, February 22 by Monday, February 23 because the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts 12-20 inches of snow citywide, with an opportunity of upper localized totals.

 “As our city prepares for levels of snow not seen since 2016, my administration is ready. We are activating every tool at our disposal to keep New Yorkers safe, informed and indoors,” mentioned Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “We all have a role to play in keeping our communities and neighbors safe, and so while DSNY loads salt spreaders and DOT prepares our streets for snowfall, I am encouraging every New Yorker to stay inside and avoid travel.”

“New Yorkers should prepare for what could be the most significant snowfall we’ve seen this year,” mentioned NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “Heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding have the potential to make travel dangerous from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. While the city works around the clock preparing for this blizzard, we’re asking New Yorkers to do their part as well: stay informed, sign up for Notify NYC, avoid unnecessary travel, and check on your neighbors.”

“For the second time in less than a month, heavy snow will hit New York City this weekend. DSNY is preparing for a massive deployment, but our work is more difficult if you are on the roads. Do your part to help our work by staying off the roads, staying safe, and, if you’re a property owner, preparing to clear an accessible path on your adjacent sidewalk at the end of precipitation,” mentioned Javier Lojan, Acting Commissioner, NYC Department of Sanitation.

Hazardous journey is forecast to start Sunday afternoon and grow to be harmful in a single day into Monday morning as heavy snow, low visibility, and robust winds affect the town. According to NWS, the heaviest snowfall is anticipated between 10 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Monday, with charges of 1-2 inches per hour and intervals of localized increased charges doubtless.  

Strong winds gusting as much as 55 mph with remoted gusts as much as 60 mph will produce blowing and drifting snow with the potential for scattered energy outages. Widespread minor coastal flooding is probably going Sunday night time, with doable reasonable flooding in weak areas together with Jamaica Bay, Staten Island, and The Battery.

NWS has issued a Blizzard Warning starting 1:00 p.m. Sunday by 6:00 p.m. Monday. New Yorkers are strongly suggested to keep away from all non-essential journey from Sunday afternoon by Monday. Snowfall charges of as much as two inches per hour, highly effective wind gusts, and whiteout circumstances will make roads hazardous and, at instances, harmful. Staying off the roads is important to permit plows, salt spreaders, and emergency autos to function safely and successfully. Public transit riders ought to anticipate potential service disruptions and delays and monitor the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for the most recent updates.

Alternate Side Parking (ASP) might be suspended Monday, February 23, and Sanitation crews will start pretreating roadways and deploying plows and salt spreaders at full capability.

NYCEM Actions

NYCEM is working intently with the National Weather Service to watch modifications within the storm’s observe and depth and to speak the storm forecast and impacts to New York City.   

NYCEM’s Situation Room is activated, and the town’s Emergency Operations Center might be activated Sunday morning to coordinate the town’s response to the storm’s impacts. The Tow Truck Task Force has been activated forward of the storm to shortly take away disabled autos from metropolis streets, and the Downed Trees Task Force has been positioned on standby to coordinate post-storm clean-up. 

NYCEM hosted greater than a dozen interagency convention calls on Saturday with metropolis and state businesses and private and non-private companions to coordinate the town’s preparations for the storm. 

NYCEM is working immediately with Con Edison to keep up real-time standing updates on energy circumstances all through the town and is conducting in depth outreach to elected officers with the most recent info relating to the storm’s observe and potential affect to the town.

NYC Community Emergency Response Team volunteers have been activated to help with snow measurement, fireplace hydrant clearing, and storm grate clearing in help of FDNY and Department of Environmental Protection operations.

Snow Preparedness Tips

If journey is completely crucial, permit ample time and use excessive warning on untreated sidewalks and roadways. Property homeowners should clear sidewalks adjoining to their property and are inspired to dig out fireplace hydrants and clear vents safely. Check on neighbors who may have help.

Coastal and low-lying residents ought to transfer autos to increased floor, safe outside objects, and put together for flooding. Basement dwellers ought to have Go Bags, elevate belongings, and be able to relocate. Charge units, count on energy outages, and by no means enter flooded streets whereas monitoring forecasts and alerts.  

New Yorkers ought to join Notify NYC to obtain real-time emergency alerts and updates in 14 languages and ASL. Subscribe at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, obtain the Notify NYC app, or name 311. 

Warming Centers

The metropolis has opened warming facilities in all 5 boroughs to offer secure, heated indoor areas for New Yorkers in want. The metropolis will deploy 18 warming buses, 11 Health + Hospitals warming areas, and 13 faculty warming facilities open throughout the town.  Locations might be out there on LinkNYC kiosks by 6:00 AM Sunday morning. 

The newest info on warming middle places and instances might be discovered at on.nyc.gov/warmingcenters or by calling 311. 

Emergency Snow Shovelers

It’s not too late to grow to be a paid Emergency Snow Shoveler. Registration is on the market with out an appointment in any respect NYC Sanitation garages Sunday from 8am to 1pm. Check eligibility and discover out what it’s good to deliver at nyc.gov/snow. 

Snow Clearing Information

While DSNY clears streets and bike lanes, property homeowners are chargeable for clearing sidewalks. As a reminder, property homeowners and automotive homeowners might NOT push snow into the road, together with bike lanes. This impedes snow clearing operations and is illegitimate. Snow could also be moved in opposition to the constructing, to the curb line, or areas on personal property. Sidewalks needs to be satisfactory for all pedestrians, together with a minimal 4-foot clear path, and unsheltered bus stops, fireplace hydrants, and curb ramps are included on this requirement.

If the snow stops falling between:

• 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., property homeowners should clear sidewalks inside 4 hours
• 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., property homeowners should clear sidewalks inside 14 hours
• 9 p.m. and seven a.m., property homeowners should clear sidewalks by 11 a.m.

Property homeowners with Empire Bins are chargeable for clearing snow and ice from the Empire Bin to facilitate assortment.

Have a Plan

Before Winter Weather

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. NYC legislation requires them.
• Wear heat layered clothes, hats, and durable boots.
• Check your snow tools. Keep rock salt and shovels.
• Winterize your automotive. Prepare a package with blankets, meals, water, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, reflectors, and first help package.
• Register along with your utility supplier in the event you depend on life-sustaining medical tools. Keep backup energy prepared.
• Keep important provides at house so you’ll be able to keep safely indoors throughout and after a storm.
• Know how you can get assist with warmth by the Home Energy Assistance Program. Call 311.
• Keep a battery-powered radio out there if energy is misplaced.

During Winter Weather

• Stay indoors if doable.
• Dress in layers and canopy uncovered pores and skin.
• Watch for frostbite (numbness, pale or waxy pores and skin) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion, drowsiness). Call 911 in the event you see signs.
• Use heating tools safely. Never use stoves, ovens, kerosene heaters, or grills to warmth your private home.
• Do not depart house heater or electrical blankets unattended.
• Run mills solely open air and away from home windows.
• Report warmth or sizzling water outages to your landlord, then name 311 if not resolved. NYC legislation requires minimal indoor temperatures from October 1 by May 31:
• Daytime (6 a.m. – 10 p.m.): At least 68°F inside when it is beneath 55°F outdoors
• Nighttime (10 PM – 6 AM): At least 62°F inside, no matter outdoors temperature
• Hot water: At least 120°F year-round
• Take additional care open air to keep away from slips and falls.
• Ask neighbors or neighborhood teams for snow elimination assist if wanted.
• After Winter Weather
• Check on neighbors, particularly older adults and people with entry wants.
• Clear snow safely. Shovel slowly. Take breaks. Keep hydrants clear
• Prevent carbon monoxide dangers by clearing automotive tailpipes and utilizing detectors.
• Stay away from downed energy traces. Treat them as dwell and name 911 if they’re inflicting a life-threatening state of affairs.
• To report downed timber in NYC, name 311. For life-threatening emergencies involving a tree, reminiscent of one blocking a highway or close to energy traces, name 911 instantly.
• For the most recent updates, go to NYCEM’s web site, join emergency alerts by visiting the Notify NYC web page, or name 311

Flood Safety

For New Yorkers in coastal flood-prone areas and low-lying areas: 

• Relocate parked autos to increased floor or inland, guaranteeing they don’t hinder roadways or block emergency entry.  
• Gather Supplies: Every family member ought to have a Go Bag filled with important objects, reminiscent of bottled water, non-perishable meals, and fundamental medical provides.  
• Tidal Awareness and Coastal Barriers: Monitor tide tables and storm surge forecasts. Know when excessive tides are anticipated in your neighborhood and be ready to regulate your plans. Where possible, deploy sandbags or different deployables appropriate for a residence to scale back the danger of tidal water intrusion.  
• Watercraft and Boat Security: If you personal boats or watercraft, safe or relocate them instantly. Fluctuating tides can’t solely carry them away however unfastened watercraft may cause further harm.  
• Storm Drains and Local Warnings: If it is secure to take action, test and clear any close by storm drains to assist handle water runoff and reduce the probabilities of localized flooding. Pay consideration to localized warnings, particularly these pertaining to tear currents and excessive waves.  
• Home Safety and Utility Measures: Ensure your private home’s sump pumps are operational and familiarize your self with how you can safely shut off utilities like fuel, water, and electrical energy. If you reside in a basement or below-grade condominium, be notably vigilant, as these areas are extra vulnerable to flooding. Follow City steerage for added actions particular to below-grade dwellings. Subscribe to Notify NYC’s Basement Apartment Dweller subgroup for key alerts.  
• Document & Insurance Review: Secure important paperwork in waterproof containers and preserve digital backups. Review your insurance coverage to make sure you have specialised flood protection, as normal insurance policies usually do not cowl flood and wind harm. Consider enrolling within the National Flood Insurance Program. Learn extra at floodsmart.gov.   
• Prepare for Outages: To gear up for potential energy disruptions, preserve your cell telephones charged, fill up on provides. If energy outages are predicted, contemplate adjusting your fridge and freezer to colder settings to increase the shelf lifetime of perishable objects. Ensure that flashlights and battery-operated radios or TVs are purposeful, protecting additional batteries available. If you depend on Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and lose energy, dial 911 for fast help, and bear in mind by no means to make use of mills indoors. Check on weak people in your neighborhood, reminiscent of older adults and other people with disabilities or well being circumstances and help them of their preparations.  
• Pet Safety: Make provisions to your pets’ security, together with the necessity to depart your private home and to take your pet with you.  
• Plan for Special Needs & Check on Your Neighbors: Make it a degree to test on neighbors who’re older adults or who might require particular help. If you may have a incapacity or particular entry and purposeful wants, make certain your emergency plan accounts for the way these components may affect your potential to reply shortly and talk successfully throughout a disaster. Seek help from your loved ones or service suppliers as wanted.  
• Avoidance and Caution: Do not enterprise into flooded areas. These zones could also be contaminated or electrically charged. Take preemptive motion by assembling a Go Bag with necessities like meals, water, and first-aid provides.  
• Documentation: When it is secure, contribute to our collective flood threat understanding by capturing and submitting pictures through the MyCoast portal (mycoast.org/ny) or the MyCoast app. Don’t overlook to additionally file flood reviews by 311.  
• Real–Time Awareness: Stay up to date on altering flood circumstances by monitoring real-time flood depth through the FloodInternet web site (floodnet.nyc). 

Stay Informed

Sign up for Notify NYC at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, Text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692, obtain the app, or name 311. Alerts can be found in a number of languages, together with a devoted group for basement condominium residents.  

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