h. nazan ışık—

12 March 2017—

The New York City Emergency Management Department on Monday, March 12, issued a hazardous travel advisory for Tuesday, March 14, 2017. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Watch in effect from late Monday night through late Tuesday night. Heavy snow and strong winds will create hazardous travel conditions on Tuesday.

© h. nazan ışık

Mayor Bill de Blasio (L), with NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. (7/20/2015, taken during the press conference on heat wave)

“We’re preparing for a significant storm on Tuesday, and New Yorkers should also prepare for snow and dangerous road conditions,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Besides the snow, it will be cold. We urge you to avoid unnecessary travel and help keep roads clear for Sanitation crews and first responders.”

Alternate Side Parking Regulations suspended Tuesday and Wednesday

NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito said:” Heavy snow will make travel difficult on Tuesday. New Yorkers should avoid driving and use mass transit when possible, we are working closely with our agency partners to coordinate the City’s preparations for the storm.”

According to the latest forecast, light snow is expected to begin late Monday night, and will intensify overnight into early Tuesday morning. The heaviest snowfall is expected Tuesday morning through the afternoon, with rates as much as 2 to 4 inches per hour possible. Strong winds are expected to accompany the heavy snowfall, with wind speeds 20 – 30 mph, and gusts 35 – 50 mph, creating hazardous travel conditions.  The snowfall is expected to taper off Tuesday evening. A total accumulation of 12 to 18 inches is anticipated, but locally higher amounts are possible. New Yorkers should avoid driving and use mass transit where possible on Tuesday.

New York City Emergency Management also urged New Yorkers of the potential for widespread minor to locally moderate coastal flooding during the Tuesday morning high tide cycle. The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Watch from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday for areas near the coastline in Brooklyn and Staten Island, and areas along the southern shores of Queens. Minor to moderate flooding of the most vulnerable shore roads and/or properties is possible. Coastal residents should be alert for updates and take action to protect property.

NYC Emergency Management also reminded New Yorkers to prepare for extremely cold temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures Tuesday are expected to be in the twenties, to be at or around freezing on Wednesday.

Snow Preparations

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is pre-deploying 689 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. PlowNYC will be activated and more than 1600 plows will be dispatched when more than two inches of snow accumulates.

DSNY will assign 2,400 workers per shift. Workers will be assigned to 12-hour shifts beginning at 7 a.m. Monday.

DSNY has 283,000 tons of rock salt available.

Garbage/recycling collections will be suspended once snow operations begin.

Photo © h. nazan ışık / NKENdiKEN