The New York City Emergency Management Department today updated New Yorkers on the current nor’easter, and reminded individuals to refrain from travel as the storm continues to move through the City. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for New York City until 4 a.m. Thursday, March 8. The latest National Weather Service Forecast anticipates 8 to 12 inches of snow accumulation, with lower amounts possible for southern Brooklyn and southern Queens, and higher amounts possible for The Bronx, Manhattan, and northern Queens. High winds are also in the forecast, with sustained winds 15 mph to 25 mph, and gusts up to 40 mph.

“We are currently experiencing the worst of the storm, with heavy snow developing throughout the city,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “Driving conditions will worsen through the afternoon, so stay off the roads if possible and be extremely careful driving.”

NYC Emergency Management

• NYC Emergency Management is working closely with the National Weather Service to monitor the storm’s track to determine the impacts to New York City.
• The City’s Emergency Operations Center is activated, with dozens of city and state partners coordinating the City’s response to the storm.

Department of Sanitation

• The NYC Department of Sanitation has dispatched 693 salt spreaders and has activated PlowNYC. DSNY will dispatch 1600 plows when more than two inches of snow accumulates, with additional plows available if necessary.
• DSNY has assigned 2,400 workers per shift. Workers were assigned to 12-hour shifts beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, March 6.
• DSNY has 234,000 tons of rock salt on hand.

DSNY Snow Ops Update: ❄ We are continuing to monitor today’s storm and street conditions. ❄ Salt spreaders continue to work across the city. ❄ Plows are ready to go once two inches of snow has accumulated. ❄ pic.twitter.com/0utPZ5t1Au

— NYC Sanitation (@NYCSanitation) March 7, 2018

Department of Transportation

• DOT has deployed more than 370 staffers citywide with 318 pieces of equipment to address conditions. DOT is assisting DSNY with snow removals.
• Alternate Side Parking Regulations are suspended for Wednesday, March 7, and Thursday, March 8, to facilitate snow removal operations. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the City.
• DOT has suspended over dimension truck travel citywide until Thursday, March 8, at 10 a.m.
• DOT’s Bridges Division has deployed crews to East River Bridges to address conditions.
• DOT’s Arterial, Parking and Citywide Concrete Units are clearing snow at pedestrian overpasses, municipal lots, and step streets.
• Crews from JC Decaux have pre-treated all city bus shelters and are monitoring bus shelters citywide.
• The Staten Island Ferry is operating on a modified schedule; passengers should allow for extra travel time. DOT’s Ferry Division is clearing walkways at the Staten Island Ferry terminals.
• The Citi Bike system is open.
• DOT will monitor conditions on the citywide Transportation network at the Joint Transportation Management Center with State DOT and NYPD, and will coordinate efforts to address any issues.

Department of Education

• Schools will remain open for the entirety of the school day. Afterschool programs will continue as planned; parents have the option of picking up their child early.
• Field trips using yellow bus service and evening YABC and adult education programs have been cancelled.
• Middle school parent-teacher conferences, PSAL games and public hearings are being rescheduled.
• DOE Custodial staff are out in full force shoveling snow and clearing sidewalks in preparation for this afternoon’s dismissal.
• DOE is working closely across City agencies to address any concerns that may arise, and additional NYPD staff will be outside of schools to assist with dismissal. Families and staff members are encouraged to use mass transit wherever possible and allow extra time for travel as roads may be slower than usual.

Economic Development Corporation

• Due to the inclement weather, all NYC Ferry service has been suspended. Service updates will be available online at http://www.ferry.nyc and via social media, app notifications, and email.
  

Department of Buildings

• DOB has 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.
• The Department 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.

Department for the Aging

• Seniors should contact their local center before leaving home, as senior centers may close on a case-by-case basis.
• Case-management clients have received additional meals, and social workers are calling high-risk clients to assess and address clients’ needs.

NYCHA

• NYCHA’s Office of Emergency Management has activated a Situation Room to manage response to the storm. This will be staffed with different departments from across the agency to ensure situational awareness, incident tracking, and response coordination.
• NYCHA’s Heating Services Department has added additional staff to the overnight schedule. This includes increasing normal heating staff after hours from 15 to 21 teams, adding four Oil Burner Mechanic teams, each with a supervisor each, and adding four Roving Teams, scheduled from midnight to 8 a.m., through Thursday.
• NYCHA Property Management has briefed and prepped to activate the snow-removal procedures. NYCHA’s Customer Contact Center has added additional staff to handle increased call volume for residents experiencing issues.

NYC Parks

• Parks is supporting the DSNY street plowing operation, lending 44 plows with operators.
• Parks has activated 1,300 staff, 132 plow vehicles, 167 salt spreaders, 257 snow blowers and brushes, and other equipment for snow removal on park perimeters.

Department of Environmental Protection

• DEP has deployed resources to assist DSNY with snow removal and has pre-positioned staff to ensure critical wastewater treatment and drinking water functions continue without interruption.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)