Winter storm prompts warnings and travel advisories
This is a press release that has been contributed to the AmNews but has not been vetted or verified but that may be of interest to the community.
The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a Travel Advisory for Monday night, February 12 into Tuesday, February 13.
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect citywide from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. The latest National Weather Service forecast calls for the possibility of 5 to 8 inches of snow at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. This may result in difficult travel alongside low visibility, especially for the morning commute tomorrow. New Yorkers are urged to remain off the roads to allow crews to operate and respond to weather conditions.
Precipitation is expected to start off as rain around midnight tonight. Snow begins to mix in around 3:00 to 4:00 a.m. and transitions to all snow around 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Snowfall will be heaviest toward daybreak and steadily continue through the morning, ending in the early afternoon. The precise storm track and location of heaviest snow banding remains uncertain. Snowfall totals may change leading up to and during the event.
Gusty northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph are also expected tomorrow morning into the afternoon, reducing visibility due to blowing snow. Widespread minor coastal flooding is also possible during high tides tomorrow morning. Tides are expected to peak around 11:00 a.m. in the NY Harbor and Jamaica Bay, and around 2:00 p.m. in the Long Island Sound.
“With several inches of snow, poor visibility on the roads, and possible coastal flooding heading our way, New Yorkers should prepare in advance of tomorrow’s storm and take the necessary precautions to remain safe,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “All relevant city agencies have been activated and are prepared to handle whatever comes our way, but we’re asking New Yorkers to do their part, too. If you do not have to be on the roads tomorrow, please stay home, and, if you’re a property owner, remember to clear your sidewalks. As a reminder, New Yorkers should sign up for Notify NYC to keep up to date on winter weather.”
“NYC Emergency Management has issued a Travel Advisory due to a significant winter storm forecasted to impact the region,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “We have mobilized a comprehensive response with our city agencies and utility partners, but while we are preparing for any eventuality, I urge New Yorkers to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary for their safety and to allow our Sanitation Department (DSNY) crews and first responders to navigate the storm and reach those in need more quickly. Please stay informed through Notify NYC to navigate potential travel disruptions and to be able to get around safely. As always, let’s not forget to check on our family and neighbors who might need extra support at this time.”
“Thousands of New York’s Strongest are prepared to spread salt on every street in the City and plow snow when accumulations hit 2 inches or more,” said Jessica Tisch, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Sanitation. “With state-of-the-art snow fighting technology and the largest Sanitation Worker headcount in two decades, DSNY has never been more prepared to fight snow. We won’t stop until every street is safe and clear, and we urge all New Yorkers to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary to give our plows and spreaders the space they need to do their critical work.”
NYC Emergency Management has proactively activated the City’s Winter Weather Emergency Plan in response to the forecasted conditions. This includes conducting coordination calls with the National Weather Service and city and state agencies and utility partners, and bolstering staffing at the Emergency Operations Center, which is already operational due to the city’s ongoing asylum seeker operations. The administration announced that Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended tomorrow, Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the city.
As part of the Winter Weather Emergency Plan, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will be issuing a Snow Alert and is pre-deploying over 700 salt spreaders to pretreat roadways ahead of the first snowflake and is prepared to dispatch plows in all sectors when more than two inches of snow accumulates. During a Snow Alert, the Department collaborates closely with NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation to implement snow clearing protocols, adhering to the detailed snow plans established by each agency. DSNY will be tracking operations via its new Bladerunner 2.0 platform, allowing real-time adjustments as conditions require. Every street is on a route and, for the first time, every route can be dispatched at the same time.
While the NYC Department of Sanitation clears streets and bike lanes, property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks. As a reminder, property owners, including restaurants with outdoor dining structures, may not push snow into the street, including bike lanes. This impedes snow clearing operations and is illegal. Snow may be moved against the building, to the curb line, or areas on private property. Sidewalks should be passable for all pedestrians, including a minimum 4-foot clear path, where possible. While property owners are not required to clear bus stops, the Department of Sanitation suggests that property owners clear a path from the sidewalk to the curb at the bus stop. The fine for the initial failure to clear sidewalks summons is $100 for the first offense, $150 for the second offense and $250 for the third offense.
The NYC Department of Homeless Services has issued a Code Blue and outreach teams will canvass all five boroughs to connect our most vulnerable New Yorkers to shelters. No one who is homeless and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied. For the most immediate response, New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be experiencing homelessness and in need should contact 311 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance.
Residential building owners are legally required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when the temperatures fall below 55 degrees outside during the day and a minimum of 62 degrees indoors overnight, regardless of outdoor temperatures. If an apartment lacks appropriate heat, a tenant should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should register an official complaint via 311. Tenants can call 311, visit 311 online at NYC.gov/311, or use the 311 mobile app (on Android and iOS devices) to file a complaint. Hearing-impaired tenants can register complaints via a Touchtone Device for the Deaf TDD at (212) 504-4115.
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