On Saturday, Feb. 5, the New York City Emergency Management Department (EMD) issued a hazardous travel advisory for Sunday, Feb. 7. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for New York City which will be in effect from 6 a.m. Sunday through 9 p.m.

 

According to the latest forecast, a winter storm is expected to bring steady light to moderate snow to the area beginning early Sunday morning through the afternoon, before tapering off in the evening. The heaviest period of snow is forecast between sunrise Sunday and early Sunday afternoon. Snowfall rates of an inch per hour are possible.

 

A total accumulation of 6 to 8 inches of snow is forecast, with higher amounts possible in some local areas. Alternate Side Parking Regulations will remain suspended through Friday, Feb. 12, to facilitate snow removal. Payment at parking meters remains in effect throughout the city.

 

NYC Emergency Management Commissioner, Deanne Criswell, said with snow still on the ground from last week’s storm, EMD encourages everyone to avoid any unnecessary travel. “We will continue to work closely with the National Weather Service to monitor the forecast and coordinate necessary preparations for the impending weather,” she said.

 

If travel is necessary, residents are encouraged to use mass transit, where possible, to wear a face covering, and to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Officials recommended allowing for extra travel time and to exercise extreme caution when traveling.

 

Meanwhile, Edward Grayson, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation, said two storms back to back may be frustrating for New Yorkers, but that DSNY were ready to respond. “We are still mobilized from last week’s storm and are committed in our mission to respond to all winter weather events,” he said.

 

EMD officials said the agency will activate the City’s virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 6 a.m. with City, state, and private partners to coordinate the response to the storm. The City’s Sanitation department is pre-deploying salt spreaders to pretreat roadways, will activate “PlowNYC” to monitor plowing progress, and will dispatch more than 2,000 plows when more than two inches of snow accumulates. DSNY officials said the agency will also assign 2,000 workers to 12-hour split shifts.

 

Safety Tips

• Stay off the roads as much as possible. If you must travel, use mass transit. Remember to wear a face covering and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
• If you must drive, drive slowly. Allow for extra travel time, and exercise caution when traveling. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.Pedestrians should 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.
• Take care when walking on snow and ice, especially if you are an older adult. Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.
• Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
• If you have to go outdoors, wear dry, warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered. Wear a hat, hood, scarf, and gloves. Stay alert for signs of hypothermia, like intense shivering or dizziness, and anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek medical attention or call 911.
• Be careful when shoveling snow. Follow your doctor’s advice if you have heart disease or high blood pressure. Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who may need help in cold weather — especially older adults or people with disabilities — to make sure they are safe inside and have heat.
• Immediately tell your building superintendent, property manager or owner if you do not have heat. Call 311 if the problem is not fixed quickly and go to a warm place, such as a friend’s or family member’s home (while maintaining proper physical distance and wearing a face mask). If you stay at home, wear layers of clothing.
• Improper use of portable heating equipment can lead to fire or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Take precautions to ensure you are heating your home safely. Do not heat your home with a gas stove or oven, charcoal grill, or kerosene, propane, or oil-burning heaters.

 

For additional safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather.

 

Guidance for Open Restaurants

Open Restaurants roadway dining is SUSPENDED all day Sunday, February 7 until further notice. Additionally, restaurants should remove or secure furniture, and remove electric heaters. Remove the tops of structures if possible or regularly clear snow off of structures to prevent damage. The City will notify restaurants when they may reopen roadway seating for outdoor dining. Based on the current forecast, the City estimates that roadway dining may resume Monday, but this may change based on actual accumulations and roadway conditions.

 

Restaurant owners may find additional information to prepare their spaces for snow at https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/openrestaurants.shtml

 

Trash/Recycling Collection

The Sanitation Workers who collect trash and recycling are the same Sanitation Workers who plow and salt the streets, therefore trash and recycling collection will be delayed during snow operations. While residents may put material out at the curb following their normal schedule, snow operations take priority and delays are to be expected.

 

New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program, for the latest information and updates on this storm and emergency events in NYC. To sign up for Notify NYC, download the free mobile application, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.