NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES WEATHER ALERT FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025

 

The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a weather alert for Thursday, February 6, 2025, with a winter storm expected to impact the Thursday morning commute. The National Weather Service currently forecasts a winter storm that will bring a mix of snow, rain, and the potential for freezing rain to the region and has issued a Winter Weather Advisory. Snowfall is expected to begin late Wednesday evening and continue into Thursday morning, with accumulations ranging from around one inch to a possible two inches in a reasonable worst-case scenario. The snow is forecast to transition to rain Thursday morning, with a chance of a brief period of freezing rain during this changeover. Winds will be 10 to 20 miles per hour, with gusts up to 35 mph expected Thursday afternoon, and isolated gusts potentially reaching 40 mph along the coast.   

   

NYCEM warned that forecasted conditions could create slushy, slick roadways, particularly on untreated surfaces, and lead to ponding in areas with poor drainage. The agency advised New Yorkers to exercise caution when traveling, expect delays, allow extra time, and prepare for slippery conditions. Whenever possible, New Yorkers should take mass transit and check for any service changes in advance. Additionally, those driving, biking, or walking should watch for potential icy patches, especially on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads.  

   

NYC Emergency Management is actively preparing for the approaching winter weather. This includes ongoing coordination with the National Weather Service, city and state agencies, and utility partners, as well as increased staffing. The administration announced that Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended Thursday, February 6. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the city. The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will be issuing a Snow Operations Alert and activating its snow clearing plan. DSNY has over 700 salt spreaders ready and will be treating roadways and deploying plows as conditions warrant.  

   

Residential building owners are legally required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when the temperatures fall below 55 degrees outside during the day and a minimum of 62 degrees indoors overnight, regardless of outdoor temperatures. If an apartment lacks appropriate heat, a tenant should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should register an official complaint via 311. Tenants can call 311, visit 311 online at NYC.gov/311, or use the 311 mobile app (on Android and iOS devices) to file a complaint. Hearing-impaired tenants can register complaints via a Touchtone Device for the Deaf TDD at (212) 504-4115.  

   

The Department of Social Services (DSS) issued an Enhanced Code Blue Alert to protect vulnerable New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Typically, a Code Blue is activated whenever the temperature or wind chill is predicted to reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m., triggering enhanced outreach efforts to encourage those living on the streets to seek shelter. During a Code Blue, highly trained outreach teams work tirelessly to connect unsheltered New Yorkers with critical resources, including shelters, drop-in centers, safe havens, and stabilization beds. Teams proactively and repeatedly engage individuals on their Code Blue priority lists, offering support, transportation to shelter, and ensuring their safety during the extreme cold. An Enhanced Code Blue, as has been issued, is declared when even more dangerous conditions are present, such as significant precipitation, heavy snow accumulation, prolonged periods of frigid temperatures, dangerously low wind chills, high winds, or ice storms.  

   

NYCEM offers New Yorkers tips on staying safe before, during, and after winter storms at on.nyc.gov/winterweather:  

   

•   Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the city will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. Sign up for emergency notifications online or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on social media.   

•   If you must go outdoors, dress in warm, dry clothing and cover exposed skin, especially your fingertips, earlobes, and nose. Wear a hat, hood, scarf, and gloves to retain body heat. Shivering is an early warning sign that your body is losing heat—take it as a cue to return indoors. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s guidance before engaging in strenuous activity, as cold weather places extra strain on the heart. Remember, your body is already working hard to stay warm, so avoid overexertion.   

•   Prolonged exposure to cold can lead to serious health issues, including hypothermia, frostbite, and worsening of chronic heart and lung conditions. Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops dangerously low, with early signs such as shivering, dizziness, and trouble speaking, progressing to confusion and shallow breathing. Frostbite affects extremities like fingers, toes, and the face, starting with redness and pain before leading to numbness and pale, waxy skin. If you suspect frostbite or hypothermia, call 911 immediately. While waiting for help, move the person to a warm place, remove damp clothing, and cover them with blankets.   

•   Outdoor workers, such as those in construction and utilities, face risks from cold-related health impacts. Employers should implement safe work practices, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train workers on recognizing cold-related disorders, prevention strategies, and proper treatment. Ensuring workplace safety during winter conditions helps protect employees from the dangers of prolonged exposure to cold weather.   

•   Allow for extra travel time and expect delays with little to no notice. Use public transportation whenever possible.   

•   If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. Always have an emergency kit in your car. It should include items like blankets, a flashlight, water, snacks, a first aid kit, and a snow shovel.   

•   Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.   

•   For fire safety, ensure every room has a working smoke alarm, test them monthly, and change batteries twice a year. Use only indoor-approved portable heaters, keeping combustible materials like furniture and drapes at least three feet away. Never drape clothes over heaters or leave them running unattended, especially around children. Always plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet—never use extension cords or power strips—and avoid using heaters with damaged cords. Turn off heating devices when not in use to reduce fire risks.   

•   To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, ensure all fuel-burning appliances—such as furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and dryers—are properly vented and in good working condition. If unsure, consult a professional for inspection and repairs. Building owners must install approved carbon monoxide detectors, while occupants are responsible for maintaining them. If you have a fireplace, keep the chimney clean and free of debris. Never use gas stoves, ovens, charcoal grills, kerosene, propane, or oil-burning heaters to heat your home—kerosene and propane space heaters are illegal in NYC. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms, including headache, nausea, dizziness, trouble breathing, and loss of consciousness, can be life-threatening, with severe cases leading to permanent injury or death.   

•   If you require assistance for daily activities, make arrangements in advance for support during the expected weather, ensuring caregivers are aware of and prepared for the weather conditions.   

•   Charge your phones and keep a flashlight and batteries handy. If you lose power and have a disability and/or use life-sustaining equipment and need immediate assistance, call 911.  

•   To report power outages, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call your power provider immediately to report the outage. Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 800-75-CONED (752-6633) (TTY: 800-642-2308). You can also report an outage online on Con Edison's website. National Grid’s 24-hour hotline is 718-643-4050 (TTY: 718-237-2857). PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour hotline is 800-490-0025 (TTY: 631-755-6660)  

   

New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the city’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. NotifyNYC is available in 14 languages, including American Sign Language. To learn more about the NotifyNYC program or to sign up, New Yorkers can visit the NotifyNYC website, call 311, or download the free NotifyNYC app for your Android or Apple device. You can now text to 692-692, using the code NOTIFYNYC, NOTIFYNYCESP (Spanish), and NOTIFYFRE (French) to be instantly enrolled to receive the highest priority, verified alerts across all the five boroughs.