Historic Blizzard Warning In Effect Tomorrow Through Wednesday—Here’s How NYC is Preparing

From New York City Office of Emergency Management:

A potentially historic storm is expected to impact the New York City area. A Blizzard Warning is in effect for New York City beginning Monday afternoon through 12 am Wednesday morning. Snow accumulations are forecast to be 20 to 30 inches with locally higher amounts possible and wind gusts up to 65 mph. The NYC Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert beginning Monday, January 26th, at 12:01 AM. For real-time weather information, visit the National Weather Service.

NYC Emergency Management actions
The NYC Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated to monitor and coordinate the City’s response to the winter weather event beginning at noon on Monday, January 26th through at least Wednesday, January 28th.
·         The following agencies will have representatives in the EOC:
o   Transportation: DOT, MTA-Buses, MTA-B&T, MTA-NYCT, MTA-HQ, MTA-PD, PANYNJ
o   Infrastructure: DSNY, DOB, HPD, DPR, DCAS, DEP
o   Public Safety: NYPD, NY National Guard
o   Human Services: DHS, NYCHA, DOE, American Red Cross, DFTA
o   Utilities: ConEd, PSEG, National Grid
o   Health and Medical: FDNY-EMS, REMSCO (Regional Emergency Medical Services Council), HHC, DOHMH, GNYHA (Greater New York Hospital Association), NYSDOH
o   External Affairs: CAU, 311, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)
o   Regional: DHSES (NY State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services), NWS (National Weather Service)
o   Tow Truck Task Force: DOT, DSNY, NYPD, DCAS, DPR, OEM, MTA
·         Interagency calls: NYC Emergency Management is coordinating interagency conference calls with the following groups and task forces: Winter Weather Emergency Steering Committee, Commissioners’ Call, Regional Emergency Liaison Team, and the Tow Truck Task Force.
·         Partner messaging: NYC Emergency Management is working with interagency partners to provide specific messaging to the following groups: Private Sector Liaison Group, Advance Warning System messaging, CERT, Citizen Corps, Healthcare Facility radio messaging, Snow Laborers, ESF-8 (Health and Human Services) messaging, and elected official outreach messaging.

Important agency-specific items
·         Department of Education: After school activities are cancelled for tomorrow, Monday January 26th. A final decision on school closure for Tuesday will be made later although the Mayor has said that it is likely.
·         Department of Homeless Services HOPE Count: Originally scheduled for the overnight of January 26th, this event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.
·         Department of Parks and Recreation: Will be tracking limbs/trees down and, due to high wind gusts, advising the public to keep out of parks during the storm for their safety.
·         Alternate Side Parking: Will be suspended citywide for tomorrow, Monday January 26th and Tuesday, January 27th to facilitate snow removal. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the city.

Getting Information: Where, When, How
·         Call 911 immediately for any emergency situation.
·         Call 311 or use their website at 311  for any non-emergency situation or for information about the storm and/or services available.
·         Winter weather information and information about City services and storm response – including the Snow Vehicle Tracker to find your roadway’s snow removal progress –  can be found by visiting the City’s Severe Weather website atwww.nyc.gov/severeweather or by calling 311.
·         New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about severe weather events and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit Enroll in Notify NYC, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
·         NYC Emergency Management External Affairs Division is working with the Mayor’s Office Community Affairs Unit and will continue to provide updates and information via this format, at a minimum of once per day but more as the situation warrants.

How to reach NYC Emergency Management
Should you need to reach a representative at NYC Emergency Management during the weather event for information other than that provided in the ‘Information: Where, When, How’ paragraph above, please email: intergov@oem.nyc.gov. This email address will be staffed 24/7 beginning at 6:30 am on Monday, January 26th.

Regards,
NYC Emergency Management
External Affairs Division

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