New York City Department of Emergency Management Services (EMS) updated New Yorkers on Saturday on the City’s response to the most recent snow storm, saying Sanitation workers were working to clear roadways as quickly as possible, with 1,800 plows dispatched throughout the five boroughs.   

 

As reported, Mayor Eric Adams paid another trip to the Bronx in the space of a week on Saturday to assess the snow situation on the ground, as he did in other boroughs also. “Yes, up in the Bronx on Tiffany Street. Roads are slippery out here today, and so, be careful,” he said. “Department of Sanitation did a pass through. People are out early but best to be off the roads, and let DSNY do their job as they clean the streets. So, be careful, bundle up and good day to stay home, if you don’t have to go out!”

On the ground in the Bronx. It’s a good day to stay home if you don’t have to go out! pic.twitter.com/mFEqJpQpq0

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 29, 2022

 

City officials also encouraged New Yorkers to stay home and off the roads. “If you must go out, allow for extra travel time,” they said. Public transportation was also highly encouraged, and the following travel tips were provided:    

• If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.    
• Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.   
• 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.     

 

Snow Removal Safety Tips

• Stretch before you go out. If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body. This may prevent injury. 
• Cover your mouth. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors.
• Avoid overexertion. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unfamiliar exercise, such as shoveling snow or pushing a car, can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Take frequent rest breaks, and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. 
• Keep dry. Change wet clothes frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly. 
• Stay safe. Walk carefully on snowy or icy sidewalks. If using a snowblower, *never* use your hands to unclog the machine. 
• Maintain an awareness of utilities while shoveling snow. Do not cover fire hydrants with snow when clearing sidewalks and driveways. Do not shovel snow into manholes and catch basins. 
• Offer to help individuals who require special assistance, including seniors and people with disabilities. 
• To keep the City running, snow must be removed from streets, sidewalks, and curb cuts after it has finished falling. This is important for all New Yorkers, particularly seniors and individuals who have disabilities. Learn more
   

City agencies also provided the following individual updates:

NYC Emergency Management (EMS) 

• EMS is working closely with the National Weather Service. 
• The department’s virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated to coordinate the City’s response to the storm. 
• EMS is hosting daily interagency conference calls with City and state agencies and public and private partners to coordinate the City’s response to the storm.  
• The department is providing regular updates to elected officials about the City’s storm response.  
• EMS has also issued multiple Advance Warning System (AWS) messages to more than 8,300 subscribers representing more than 2,000 organizations that disseminate information to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.  
• The agency has deployed Citywide Interagency Coordinators to all five boroughs to monitor conditions and rapidly respond to incidents, as needed.  
• EMS has placed the City’s Downed Trees Task Force on alert. This multi-agency task force is responsible for coordinating the response to a large downed tree event. 
• The City’s Tow Truck Task Force has been activated to prioritize and coordinate towing assets. When severe winter weather events present hazards for the continued operation of vehicles within the public right-of-way, the Tow Truck Task Force monitors the coordination of tow resources to assist public safety agencies in sustaining life safety response operations, and to maximize the efficiency of citywide snow clearing operations. 

Department of Sanitation (DSNY)

• DSNY filled over 700 salt spreaders, and deployed them as necessary across the City. DSNY has activated PlowNYC and has dispatched over 1,800 plows (as more than two inches of snow has accumulated). 
• The department had 290,000 tons of rock salt on hand heading into this storm, as well as 285,000 gallons of calcium chloride and 58,000 gallons of sodium chloride brine.  
• DSNY issued a snow alert beginning Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. 
• Alternate side parking regulations are suspended Saturday, Jan. 29, to facilitate snow removal. (Alternate side parking will also be suspended Monday, Jan. 31, and Tuesday, Feb. 1, due to Lunar New Year.) 
• The department hires temporary snow laborers to remove snow and ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants, and other locations throughout New York City. Pre-registered snow laborers will be called to report to work on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 8 a.m.   

 

Economic Development Corporation (EDC) 

NYC Ferry services have been impacted by winter storm conditions. Service changes and/or suspensions will be posted on www.ferry.nyc and announced via social media, app notifications, and email.

 

Department of Buildings (DOB) 

• The department issued a weather advisory reminding property owners, contractors and crane operators to take precautionary measures and secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment during high winds. 
• DOB will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the department will take immediate enforcement action — issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary. 
• To safeguard construction sites, builders, contractors, and developers should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:  

 

• Tie down and secure material and loose debris at construction sites. 
• Cover electrical equipment from exposure to the weather.  
• Secure netting, scaffolding, and sidewalk sheds.  
• Clear icicles and vulnerable snow masses from sidewalk sheds, and supported and suspended scaffolds.  
• Clear roofs, overhangs and gutters of melting snow and ice.  
• Brace and secure construction fences.            
• Call 911 if there is an emergency on a construction site.  
• To secure a building, property owners should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:  
• Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools, and toys. 
• Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills, or propane tanks.  
• Secure and clear roofs, awnings, umbrellas, and overhangs of melting snow and ice.  
• Check to ensure all gutters, roof drains, and down spouts are cleared of debris to allow for proper drainage.  
• Secure retractable awnings.  
• Take down tents or follow manufacturer’s instructions to secure them.    

 

Yes, @NYCHealthSystem #TestSites are open today. But if it's still be too hard to get around, there's a sneak peek of next week's flyers for each borough at https://t.co/GvBhDdw0Ak. Stay warm & safe today, but make a plan to #GetTested (pls ☑️ for *frequently* updated versions!)

— Theresa Doherty (@outrospecting) January 30, 2022

 

NYC Parks   

• NYC Parks officials said the department has activated more than 1,100 staff, 360 vehicles, including over 150 with plows and salt spreaders, and close to 200 pieces of equipment, including 145 snow blowers and brushes, for snow removal operations.  
• If snow accumulates, Parks will support DSNY’s street plowing operation by lending 44 plows and operators.  
• The agency has more than 2,000 miles of pathways across the city and prioritizes snow removal at commuter hubs, areas surrounding schools (jointly operated playgrounds), park perimeters, and park interior pathways and “through park” greenway. 
• Parks warns New Yorkers to never venture out onto waterbodies that appear frozen; they are likely not and are unsafe.   
• On-duty Parks foresters will track the storm as tree damage often occurs during inclement weather, and severe storms can cause extensive damage. Please report tree issues to 311 or on NYC Parks’ site, if there is a life-or-death emergency, call 911 immediately.  

 

Department of Social Services (DSS) 

In the event of extreme weather, DSS-DHS (Department of Homeless Services) officials said the agency’s outreach teams redouble citywide efforts to engage New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness, with a focus on connecting vulnerable individuals to shelter and other available services.

 

A Code Blue weather emergency notice is issued when the temperature drops to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m., including National Weather Service calculations for wind chill values. During Code Blue periods, no one who is experiencing homeless and seeking shelter in New York City will be denied. Officials said should New Yorkers see an individual who appears to be experiencing homeless and in need out in the cold, they should call 311 and an outreach team will be dispatched to offer assistance, which includes:  

• Shelter services: During a Code Blue, shelter is available to accommodate anyone who is reasonably believed to be experiencing homelessness and is seeking respite from the cold.  
• Drop-in Centers: During a Cold Blue, DSS-DHS conducts additional outreach to unsheltered New Yorkers and DSS-DHS drop-in centers (DICs) will be open to serve as many clients as possible.   
• Safe Havens and stabilization beds: During extreme weather, unsheltered New Yorkers may be transported directly to Safe Havens and stabilization beds, which are low-barrier housing programs designed specifically to meet the needs of New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness.   
• Unsheltered outreach: DSS-DHS coordinates borough-level outreach efforts directly with partner City agencies, including but not limited to DSNY and the Parks Department, to connect unsheltered individuals to the range of resources and services available. In addition, outreach teams will contact vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness on their Code Blue priority lists.   

 

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) 

DEP deployed resources to assist the Department of Sanitation with snow removal and pre-positioned staff to ensure critical wastewater treatment and drinking water functions continue without interruption.  

 

 

Department of Transportation (DOT) 

• DOT continues to assist DSNY with snow removal.  
• DOT’s bridges division crews continue to cover the East River Bridges and BQE promenade. 
• DOT’s arterial, parking, traffic control & engineering, and citywide concrete units have been clearing snow from pedestrian overpasses, underpasses, muni lot perimeters and step streets.  
• Crews from JC Decaux are currently clearing bus shelters.  
• Lyft/Citi Bike system remains open.  
• DOT is monitoring conditions on the citywide transportation network at the joint transportation management center with State DOT and NYPD, and coordinate efforts to address any issues.   
• The Staten Island ferry is operating on an hourly schedule overnight.  
• DOT’s ferry division continues to clear walkways at the Staten Island ferry terminals.   
• Beginning Friday night, DOT is placing a temporary halt on Open Streets. Diners may not be seated in Open Restaurants roadway or sidewalk setups and partners should remove or secure tables/chairs and remove all electrical heaters. It’s also recommended that restaurants remove any overhead coverings or regularly remove any snow until the Alert ends.  
• Open Restaurants were suspended for Saturday, Jan. 29.  
• Alternate side parking regulations are suspended Saturday, Jan. 29. Alternate side parking also will be suspended Monday, Jan. 31, and Tuesday, Feb. 1, due to Lunar New Year.  
• Bronx e-scooter pilot has been suspended as of Friday at 10 p.m. and scooters were removed from streets. 

 

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) 

• NYCHA’s Office of Emergency Management activated its virtual emergency operations center (EOC) to manage the response to the storm. The EOC enables the agency to quickly track and respond to service needs; disseminate accurate information to the public and identify any public health hazards. 
• The agency is mobilizing snow removal equipment and has pre-treated walkways and other common spaces ahead of intensifying snowfall, in addition to readying generators for deployment and scheduling additional staff if necessary. 
• NYCHA property management came in early Saturday morning to begin snow removal procedures. NYCHA’s customer contact center is adding additional staff to handle increased call volume for residents experiencing issues. 
• The agency’s department of communications and intergovernmental department is also amplifying EMS messaging and briefing elected officials on relevant status updates. 

 

 

FDNY 

FDNY officials issued the following tips.

• Be #FDNYSmart when the temperature dips — remember to check on vulnerable neighbors to make sure they’re safe and warm. 
• Please shovel snow away from hydrants so FDNY can access in case of emergency. 
• In anticipation of snow, prepare to shovel a path to hydrants so they are visible to FDNY in case of emergency. Any delay in fire companies locating hydrants and getting water on a fire endangers the lives of both firefighters and civilians. 
• Keep #FDNYSmart tips in mind as you clear hydrants. Ask a neighbor for help, don’t overexert. 
• Prolonged exposure to cold can result in hypothermia. Stay safe this winter by following these #FDNYSmart tips.  
• For more tips, visit FDNYsmart.org. 

 

MTA 

Due to heavy snowfall, New Yorkers are warned to expect delays and service changes on the MTA train service system-wide in New York City. For the latest MTA service updates, visit www.mta.info.  

 

Department of Education (DOE) 

NYC Department of Education announced that due to severe weather conditions, all Department of Education sponsored activities and all extended-use permits, including adult education, special education, and PSAL were cancelled Saturday, Jan. 29.

 

CoEd issued the following text message to their customers on Saturday: “ConEd Alert: We’re preparing for the snow storm in your area this weekend. If your power goes out, reply OUT to let us know, and we’ll send you updates as restorations progress. Please stay away from downed wires. Reply STOP to opt out of all future outage msgs. Reply HELP for help.”

 

As of midnight on Saturday, Jan. 28, there were approximately 114 customers without power, with an estimated restoration time of 4.30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29. For those with access to the internet, power outages can also be reported here.

 

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or download the free app for your Android or Apple device. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.