Mayor de Blasio 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 6 a.m. Thursday, March 22. The latest National Weather Service forecast anticipates 12 to 18 inches of snow accumulation. High winds are also in the forecast, with sustained winds 20 mph to 30 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. High winds continue Thursday, before subsiding early Friday morning. Temperatures Wednesday evening are forecast to be around freezing, with wind chill values between 20 and 25 degrees. Temperatures increase into the low forties on Thursday.

Mayor de Blasio also advises residents living in coastal areas to prepare for the potential for coastal flooding during Wednesday’s high tide cycles. A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect for the shorelines of Staten Island, Brooklyn and southern Queens through 2 p.m. Wednesday. A Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect for the shorelines of southern Queens from Wednesday evening through late Wednesday night. Localized minor to moderate coastal flooding is possible. New Yorkers living in coastal areas are advised to prepare as some roads and low-lying property may experience shallow flooding.

“As the storm intensifies, travel conditions will be tremendously difficult through the evening,” said Mayor de Blasio. “We urge New Yorkers to stay off the roads – if you do not need to be out, do not go out. Let us give our Sanitation crews the opportunity to do their jobs effectively.”

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 has dispatched 1600 plows to begin snow removal in areas where more than two inches of snow has accumulated. Additional plows are available if necessary.
• DSNY has assigned 2,400 workers per shift to 12-hour shifts.
• DSNY has 227,000 tons of rock salt on hand.
• Customers can expect garbage/recycling collections delays for Wednesday, March 21 during snow operations.

Department of Transportation

• DOT has deployed more than 500 staffers citywide with 412 pieces of equipment to address conditions. DOT continues to assist DSNY with snow removals.
• Alternate Side Parking Regulations are suspended for Wednesday, March 21 and Thursday, March 22, to facilitate snow removal operations. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the City.
• DOT’s Bridges Division has deployed crews to East River Bridges to address conditions. Crews are also working to clear overpasses and East River walkways and bikeways.
• DOT’s Arterial, Parking and Citywide Concrete Units have pre-treated overpasses, municipal lots, and step streets. Crews are equipped with equipment to facilitate snow removal.
• Crews from JC Decaux have pre-treated all city bus shelters and are monitoring bus shelters citywide.  Snow removal crews are on standby.
• The Staten Island Ferry is operating on a normal schedule; passengers should allow for extra travel time and anticipate weather-related delays as the storm intensifies. Updates can be found on the Facebook page (fb.com/statenislandferry) and passengers can sign up for email alerts at nyc.gov/siferry for the most up-to-date information. Crews are conducting snow removal at the Staten Island Ferry terminals.
• The Citi Bike system will be suspended beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

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.