NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR SATURDAY MARCH 18

A wintry mix of rain and snow may impact travel and cause dangerously slick conditions

   The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Saturday, March 18. According to the latest forecast, a light mix of rain and snow is expected to begin Saturday morning. The wintry mix is predicted to change over to rain Saturday afternoon, and will then change over to snow late Saturday evening. Moderate to heavy snowfall is possible during the late evening hours. The snow is expected to continue overnight before it tapers off Sunday morning. A total of 2 to 4 inches of snowfall accumulation is expected, but locally higher amounts are possible. New Yorkers are advised to exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking, and allow for additional travel time as roads may be slippery.

“We’re expecting snow Saturday that could cause slippery road conditions,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “New Yorkers are asked to allow for extra travel time and exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking.”

Snow Preparations

DSNY

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a snow alert beginning Saturday, March 18, at 3 a.m. The Sanitation department is pre-deploying 689 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. In addition, DSNY will dispatch more than 1600 plows in anticipation of any plowing needs (when more than two inches of snow accumulates).

Travel Safety Tips

For Motorists

·         Drive slowly. Posted speed limits are for ideal weather conditions. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.

·         Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.

·         Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they do not stop quicker than other vehicles.

·         Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your vehicle in case you break down or become stuck in snow.

·         If you get stuck on the road, stay with your vehicle and contact a towing company.

For Pedestrians

·         Exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible.

·         Wear layers including a hat, gloves/mittens, and a scarf to stay protected from the cold.

·         Keep clothes and shoes dry, if a layer becomes wet, remove it.

·         Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.

·         Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

·         Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs.

·         Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls from icy conditions.

For more winter weather safety tips, visit NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free, official emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or email alerts about winter weather conditions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit NYC.gov/notifynyc, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.