Severe Winter Storm Warning

Severe Winter Storm Warning In Effect Sunday – Tuesday!

For real-time updates, visit the National Weather Service https://www.weather.gov/okx/

According to the latest National Weather Service (NWS) forecast, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for New York City from Sunday, January 31, a 7 p.m. until Tuesday, February 2, at 6 a.m. Heavy snow is expected, with total snow accumulations of 14 to 18 inches expected, and winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Blizzard-like conditions possible Monday and Monday evening.

Travel will be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning and evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. Roads may be dangerous and strong winds may cause power outages. Use mass transit if possible. 

For real-time changes to NYC functions, sign up for Notify NYC, download the free mobile application, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter. 

IMPORTANT FLOOD WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

  • A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for Southern Queens from Monday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday 8 p.m. to Tuesday 3 a.m. 
  • Widespread moderate flooding is expected, resulting in beach erosion and flooding of vulnerable shore roads and/or properties. 
  • A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for Northern Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx from Monday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then from Monday 8 p.m. to Tuesday 4 a.m. 
  • A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for Brooklyn and Staten Island from Monday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then Tuesday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Read below for specific updates from NYC government agencies. 

NYC Emergency Management  

Plan for Hazards – Winter Weather

Be Prepared 

  • Make sure your household disaster plan is ready and all members of your household are familiar with how to contact one another in an emergency. 
  • Do not forget the needs of pets and service animals when severe weather (including winter weather and extreme cold) strikes. Learn more
  • Winterize your Go Bag by adding a blanket, warm socks and gloves.
  • Your emergency supply kit should be fully-stocked to allow you to sustain yourself for up to seven days without power, or in the event you are unable to travel far from home. You may wish to include additional items such as extra blankets, additional warm clothing, and a battery-operated radio to monitor weather conditions during a storm.

Winterize Your Home

  • Install storm shutters, doors and windows; clean out gutters; repair any roof leaks; and have a contractor check the stability of your roof in the event of a large accumulation of snow.
  • Insulate walls and attic. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows. Install storm windows, or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
  • Have safe emergency heating equipment available. For residences with functioning fireplaces, keep an ample supply of wood. Utilize portable electric space heaters. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
  • Install and check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
  • Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel; you may have difficulty obtaining fuel in the immediate aftermath of a bad storm.
  • Service snow removal equipment, and have rock salt on hand to melt ice on walkways. Kitty litter can be used to generate temporary traction.

NYC COVID-19 Testing & Vaccine Sites 

City-run COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites closed on Monday, February 1. Vaccine appointments will be rescheduled. Visit NYC.gov/coronavirus for more information.

Food Sites 

City operated sites will be closed. Check with local providers directly. 

NYC Department of Education

New York City Department of Education
All New York City district school buildings will be closed Monday, February 1. Learning Bridges, after-school programs, adult education, and YABC programs are also cancelled. All food distribution sites will be closed. While school buildings are closed, instruction will continue remotely. DOE central and field offices will remain open.

NYCHA

NYCHA’s Office of Emergency Management has activated the Emergency Operations Center which will be staffed with different departments from across the agency to ensure situational awareness, incident tracking, and response coordination. 

The Heating Services Department is adding additional staff overnight. This will entail increasing normal heating staff from 15 to 21 teams, adding four Oil Burner Mechanic teams, each with a supervisor each, and adding four Roving Teams during this event. Property Management will have staff briefed and prepped to conduct snow-removal operations. NYCHA’s Customer Contact Center is adding additional staff to handle increased call volume for residents experiencing issues.

NYC Department of Social Services 

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dss/index.page
Shelters, drop-in centers, safe havens and stabilization beds, and street homeless outreach programs will be open. 

NYC Department of Sanitation 

https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/home
Trash and recycling collection will be delayed during snow operations. Alternate Side Parking Regulations are suspended for Monday, February 1, and Tuesday, February 2. 

NYC Department of Transportation

https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/home/home.shtml
Check for up to date information on Bridges, Parking, Ferry,  Meters, Lyft/Citi-Bike. DOT is placing a temporary halt on Open Streets & Open Streets

NYC Department of Buildings 

https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/home/home.shtml
DOB 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. Random spot-check inspections of construction sites will occur. If sites are not secured, the Department will take immediate enforcement action — issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary.

NYC Parks & Recreation 

https://www.nycgovparks.org/
Parks will activate over 1100 staff, 360 vehicles, including over 150 with plows and salt spreaders, and close to 200 pieces of equipment, including 145 snow blowers and brushes, to clear more than 2,000 miles of pathways across the city and prioritizes snow removal at commuter hubs and park perimeters. Once complete, interior pathways are cleared. Report all life impacting emergencies to 911, and tree failures to 311.  

Update from conEdison

We’re preparing for a big snowstorm, which may bring gusty winds starting Sunday night, causing service problems. Con Edison has secured extra crews to respond to any outages or other service problems.

We want you to be ready, too. When you report an outage at your home or business, we’ll text or call you with restoration updates automatically. You choose how you’d like us to communicate with you when you report a problem.

Power Problems?
Report outages any time at:conEd.com or,our mobile app for iOS or Android devices, or call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633).

Plan Ahead
Have a flashlight and fresh batteries at your fingertips.Make sure your cellphone and other devices are fully charged.Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting to keep your food cool longer if the power goes out.
Con Edison offers the following storm tips to customers to help weather the possible effects of a storm:

If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Treat all downed wires as if they are live. Never attempt to move them or touch them with any object. Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by snow, tree limbs, leaves or water.
Report all downed wires to Con Edison and your local police department immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you’re in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.
If your power goes out, disconnect or turn off appliances that would otherwise turn on automatically when service is restored. If several appliances start up at once, the electric circuits may overload.
Check to make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios or televisions are in working order. Make sure you have a supply of extra batteries. Weather updates and news on restorations of electrical service can be heard on most local radio and television stations.

For more storm tips and preparation, go to www.conEd.com