The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Tuesday, March 13, 2018. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for New York City in effect from 8 p.m. Monday through noon on Tuesday. A coastal storm is forecast to bring a wintry mix of rain and snow to the New York City area Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon. A brief rain and snow mix is expected to begin late Monday evening before changing over to snow around midnight. The heaviest period of snowfall is forecast between 3 a.m. and 10 a.m. Tuesday. Snow is expected to taper off early Tuesday afternoon. The forecast anticipates a total of two to four inches of snowfall, with locally higher amounts possible. High winds are also in the forecast, with sustained winds of 20 mph to 30 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. The National Weather Service forecasts high temperatures to be in the low 40s on Tuesday, with wind chill values between 20 and 30 degrees.
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause travel difficulties on Tuesday. New Yorkers should prepare for slippery roads and reduced visibility, and are asked to use caution when driving, walking, or biking.
“With slippery roads expected, give yourself some extra travel time and use caution while you’re out on Tuesday,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito.
Safety Tips
* Drive slowly. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
* Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they do not stop quicker than other vehicles.
* Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.
* Know your vehicle’s braking system. Vehicles with anti-lock brakes require a different braking technique than vehicles without anti-lock brakes in snowy conditions.
* If you are driving and begin to skid, ease your foot off the gas and steer in the direction that you want the front of the car to go. Straighten the wheel when the car moves in the desired direction. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump the brakes on an ABS equipped vehicle.
* Try to keep your vehicle’s gas tank as full as possible.
* Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your car in case you break down or become stuck.
* 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.
* Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.
* Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
* When outdoors, wear dry, warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered. Wear a hat, hood, scarf, and gloves.
* 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.
* Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program. To sign up for Notify NYC, download the free mobile application<http://www.nyc.gov/notifynycapp>, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC<https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/(S(doicuu5cc1wdu2k3zmljajps))/home.aspx>, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
* Charge cell phone batteries.
* Turn your refrigerator and freezer to a colder setting. If you lose power, items that need refrigeration will stay cooler for longer.
* If you lose power & have a disability/access and functional needs or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) & need immediate assistance, dial 911.
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.
* Ensure gutters are clear of debris to allow drainage.
* Secure retractable awnings.
Code Blue
A Code Blue Weather Emergency notice is issued when the temperature is forecast to drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m., including National Weather Service calculations for wind chill values. No one who is homeless and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied. Should you see an individual who appears to be homeless and in need out in the cold, please call 311 and an outreach team will be dispatched to offer assistance. During Code Blue Weather emergencies, experienced outreach teams work to connect homeless New Yorkers with the following resources:
* Shelters: During a Code Blue, shelter is available system-wide to accommodate anyone who is reasonably believed to be homeless and is brought to a shelter by outreach teams. Accommodations are also available for walk-ins.
* Drop-in centers: All drop-in centers are open 24-hours per day, including when Code Blue procedures are in effect, and will assist as many people as possible for the duration of the emergency. Drop-in staff and the dedicated outreach teams they work closely with every day can also make arrangements for homeless individuals at other citywide facilities.
* Safe havens and stabilization beds: Chronically homeless individuals may be transported directly to these low-threshold housing programs.
* Street homeless outreach: Teams will contact vulnerable individuals on their Code Blue Priority Lists a minimum of once every four (4) hours beginning at 8 p.m. during Code Blue Alerts and once every two (2) hours beginning at 8 p.m. for Enhanced Code Blue Alerts to encourage them to accept services, including transportation to a shelter placement. DSS coordinates borough-level Code Blue efforts directly with partner City agencies, including but not limited to NYPD, DSNY, and the Parks Department.
For more information, visit nyc.gov/emergencymanagement. 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<http://www.nyc.gov/notifynycapp>, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC<https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/(S(doicuu5cc1wdu2k3zmljajps))/home.aspx>, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
Become a Harlem Insider!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
