MAYOR DE BLASIO ISSUES UPDATE ON WINTER STORM RESPONSE

  Friday November 16, 2018 – Mayor de Blasio today updated New Yorkers on the City’s response to Thursday’s snow storm. The City continues its response and is working to clear roadways as quickly as possible. The NYC Department of Sanitation operations continue, with 325 salt spreaders deployed throughout the city. The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation continues its response to downed trees with 100 cutters working 12-hour shifts through the weekend to remove downed branches and tree limbs.

Parking and Trash Collection

• Alternate Side Parking is suspended today to facilitate snow removal operations. Parking meters remain in effect throughout the city.

• Refuse and recycling collections have resumed with delays expected.  

Travel

• Motorists are advised to stay off the roads to allow for continued cleanup. If you must travel, allow for extra time, and use mass transportation whenever possible. New Yorkers are also urged to exercise caution and minimize walking outdoors, as conditions are expected to be slippery. 

AGENCY UPDATES:

Parks

·         The City’s Downed Tree Task Force has been activated to assist with coordinating cleanup of downed trees and limbs.

·         The Parks Department has 20 crews throughout the city with more than 100 cutters removing downed trees and limbs.

·         The Department has removed 65 downed trees throughout the city and will continue to work 12-hour shifts through the weekend.

Department of Sanitation

• The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has deployed 325 salt spreaders to treat icy road conditions throughout the city. 

FDNY

·         All FDNY ladder companies and special units have crews equipped with chainsaws coordinating with the Department of Parks and Recreation to cut and remove downed trees. Crews will be working throughout the weekend.

NYPD

·         NYPD Emergency Services Unit has crews equipped with chainsaws coordinating with the Department of Parks and Recreation to cut and remove downed trees. Crews will be working throughout the weekend.

Department of Education

• All New York City public schools are open. Field trips requiring yellow buses have been cancelled.

• After-school programs, YABC programs, PSAL activities, and adult education programs have also been cancelled. Public hearings have been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

  

NYC Emergency Management

  

• NYC Emergency Management continues to update elected officials with the latest information regarding the storm’s impact to New York City.

• NYC Emergency Management is continuing to provide updates to the public through Notify NYC.

• The Department continues to coordinate storm response and deployed Citywide Interagency Coordinators (CICs) throughout the city to facilitate response coordination with City agencies.

DOT

·         The Department of Transportation removed 18 downed trees along the Bronx River Parkway and Laurelton Parkway at Merrick Boulevard and is continuing to monitor. 

·         Department of Transportation crews have been deployed for snow and ice removal at 31 municipal parking fields, bike paths, and plazas throughout the City.

NYCHA

·         The New York City Housing Authority has removed 17 downed trees from its developments.

·         NYCHA has increased staffing through the weekend to address an increase in tenant calls and heat-related issues.