Preparations are underway across the Tri-State area as a major Nor’easter heads our way.

The approaching storm threatens to bring heavy snow and strong wind to the Tri-State area on Monday night into Tuesday, prompting a blizzard warning for New York City, Long Island and parts of southern Connecticut.

NEW YORK CITY
The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a “Snow Alert” for Monday starting at 11 p.m. in advance of the storm.

Calling a Snow Alert allows DSNY to begin to prepare for a response by loading salt spreaders, attaching plows, preparing tire chains and notifying other city agencies and supplementary personnel as needed.

DSNY coordinates with the Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation on snow clearing protocol in accordance with each agency’s written snow plan.

Nearly 700 salt spreaders and 1,600 snow plows will be deployed across the five boroughs.

All winter weather information and information about the City’s response to the storm can be found by visiting the City’s Severe Weather website at http://www.nyc.gov/severeweather or by calling 311.

Con Edison issued an advisory that the combination of snow and gusting winds could knock trees into power lines, causing customers to lose power and creating a safety hazard.

Customers can report downed power lines, outages and check service restoration status at http://www.conEd.com or by calling 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633).

LONG ISLAND
On Long Island, areas along the South Shore may see coastal flooding Tuesday morning, with high tides that could run 2 to 3 feet above normal.

Road crews in Nassau and Suffolk counties have been out since Sunday, pre-treating the roads.

“We do expect that this will be a major, significant weather event that will be a potentially dangerous storm and that is exactly what we are preparing for right now,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone at a news conference Monday morning.

NEW JERSEY
In New Jersey, a coastal flood warning is in effect for Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, Atlantic, Cape May, Burlington and Cumberland counties.

PSE&G advised customers that the snow and high winds may bring down trees and power lines, and the utility said it has extra personnel on hand to respond to emergencies.

NEW YORK STATE

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the New York State Emergency Operations Center will be activated Monday evening, with stockpiles of sandbags, generators and pumps at the ready.

Cuomo urged commuters to drive with caution for the Tuesday morning and afternoon commutes, and to avoid unnecessary travel. Motorists, especially tractor trailers, should be prepared for road closures across the state.

“We are closely monitoring this storm as it develops and I am directing all state agencies to be on alert and ready to respond as the weather develops,” said Cuomo.

(Source: ABC News / AP)