New York City Emergency Management Department Today Issued A Travel Advisory And Safety Tips

The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Sunday evening, January 16, through Monday, January 17, 2022. According to the latest forecast, light snow is expected in the area beginning around 7 p.m. Sunday, transitioning to rain between 9 p.m. and midnight.

Periods of heavy rain and strong winds may reduce visibility and create dangerous travel conditions through Monday morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a citywide Wind Advisory in effect from midnight to 8 a.m. Monday for gusts up to 55 mph.

In addition, Coastal Flood Warnings are in effect for Brooklyn, Staten Island, and southern Queens from 4 a.m. to 12 p.m., and for the Bronx and northern Queens from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday.

A Coastal Flood Advisory for Manhattan is in effect from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The City’s Flash Flood Emergency Plan has been activated to help mitigate potential flash flooding and ensure a quick, effective, and coordinated response to any flash flood events that do occur.

The City’s Downed Tree Task Force has also been put on alert to coordinate the response to any potential large downed tree event. 

“With a potential mix of snow and heavy rain in the forecast arriving in New York City Sunday night into Monday morning, New Yorkers should prepare for slippery road conditions and potential flooding,” said NYC Emergency Management First Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell. “We urge New Yorkers to exercise caution. If you must travel, we encourage the use of mass transit and please allow for extra travel time.”

“This is a fluid, changing forecast, and while heavy snow is not likely, DSNY never bets on rain in January. We are ready to respond to whatever comes our way this weekend. I want to thank the Sanitation employees who will be working through the holiday weekend and urge all New Yorkers to give them the space they need to do their jobs tonight into tomorrow,” said New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson.

The City’s Sanitation Department is pre-deploying over 700 salt spreaders to pretreat roadways ahead of the first snowflake and will dispatch more than 1,600 plows when more than two inches of snow accumulates.    

Safety Tips

If you live in a flood-prone area, keep materials such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber on hand to help protect your home.

• If you have a disability or access or functional need, make sure your plan addresses how your needs may affect your ability to evacuate, shelter in place, or communicate with emergency workers. Arrange help from family, friends, or service providers if you will need assistance.  
• When outside, avoid walking and driving through flooded areas. As few as six inches of moving water can knock a person over. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. One or two feet of water can carry away a vehicle.  
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.  
• If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that tree limbs, leaves, or water can cover downed wires from view. Always stay away from downed power lines because they could be live.  
• Report downed wires immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you are in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.  
• Allow for extra travel time. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation.    
• 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.     

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.