Email Body:
Greetings AWS Partners,
The Advance Warning System (AWS) disseminates information to New Yorkers with disabilities and access and functional needs through their service providers. Please share the important information below with your clients and other agencies or individuals to empower them to make informed decisions:
Winter Storm Warning - Flash Freeze & Icing
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 6 PM, Monday, February 2. Earlier today snow had changed over to rain for most areas of the City and a mix of sleet and snow is expected before turning to all snow around 3 PM. A possible 1-2 inches of snow and sleet accumulation is possible throughout the late afternoon. Snowfall will be tapering off in the early evening hours. The evening commute could become treacherous as temperatures continue to drop well into the 20s, leading to a flash freeze and significant icing from the afternoon into the evening with about 1/4 to 1/3 inch of ice accumulation expected. Slippery roads and sidewalks will make evening travel dangerous. Wind chills will fall below zero around midnight. Cold conditions continue for the remainder of the week. There is a slight chance of snow showers Wednesday and Thursday.
Travel Advisory in Effect
The earlier snow combined with rain, freezing rain and sleet result in slushy and slippery roadways across Metro New Jersey, New York City and Long Island. As a result all roads that have standing water or slush will quickly become icy. This will make travel treacherous. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use extra caution for all vehicular and pedestrian travel this afternoon and evening.
For forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service online. http://www.weather.gov/nyc.
Travel Safety Tips
New Yorkers are also encouraged to take the following precautions Monday:
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; these roadways will be cleared first.
� 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 car in case you break down or become stuck in snow.
� If you get stuck on the road, stay with your car 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. And 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.
� Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls from icy conditions.
Updates on City Services
� Schools: Schools will be open Monday, but field trips are cancelled. Please check back for additional updates.
� Parking: Alternate Side Parking rules are suspended Monday for snow removal. Parking meters remain in effect throughout the city.
� Refuse & Recycling Collection: Refuse and recycling collections will be suspended Monday to allow for snow clearing operations. Treating Icy Roadways & Snow Removal: The NYC Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert beginning Sunday, Feb. 1, at 5 PM and is pre-deploying more than 500 salt spreaders. More than 1,600 plows will be dispatched when more than two inches of snow accumulates. The Department of Transportation will deploy anti-icing units to each of the East River bridges and is pre-treating pedestrian overpasses and step streets.
� Senior Centers: Senior centers will remain open. Please call your local center directly before traveling.
Cold Weather Safety
Seniors, infants, the homeless and those with chronic medical conditions, such as cardiovascular or lung conditions, people using alcohol or drugs and people with cognitive and mental disabilities are at increased risk of health problems from the extreme cold over the weekend. New Yorkers are advised to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly and those with disabilities and access and functional needs, friends, relatives and clients (if you are a service provider). People most likely to be exposed to dangerous cold include those who lack shelter, work outdoors and/or live in homes with malfunctioning or inadequate heat.
Safety Tips
New Yorkers are also encouraged to take the following precautions:
� Stay indoors as much as possible.
� Report any loss of heat or hot water to property managers immediately, and call 311.
� If homes lack heat, get to a warm place, if possible, and wear extra layers of dry, loose-fitting clothing, hats and gloves to help stay warm.
� Never use a gas stove to heat your home.
� Never use a kerosene or propane space heater, charcoal or gas grill, or generator indoors or near the home.
� When outdoors, wear warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Use multiple layers to maintain warmth.
� Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls from icy conditions.
� If you are concerned about someone on the street who may be homeless and in need of assistance, call 311 and ask for the Mobile Outreach Response Team. The Department of Homeless Services will send an outreach team to the location to assess the individual's condition and take appropriate action.
� If your building is cold, check on your neighbors. If you know someone who is vulnerable and lacking heat, help them get to warm places, and notify the building manager and/or call 311 to get heat restored. If you see someone with signs of hypothermia, such as confusion, shivering, slurred speech, and drowsiness, call 911 for help and help the person get warm while waiting for help.
� Homeless Services: Special protocols are in effect when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. No one seeking shelter in New York City will be denied. Anyone who sees a homeless individual or family out in the cold should call 311 immediately and an outreach team will be dispatched to assist them.
More Information
For more helpful tips for staying warm and safe, view NYC Emergency Management's winter weather video, or visit NYC.gov/Emergency Management. New Yorkers are also 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 traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit NYC.gov/notifynyc, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
NYC Emergency Management (OEM) will continue to monitor this weather system, and the agency's Human Services Unit will keep you updated as the situation develops. If you have any questions or comments during this time, please do not hesitate to contact the Human Services Unit. If you need assistance immediately contact Watch Command at 718-422-8700.
NYC Emergency Management Human Services Unit:
Human Services email distribution list: humanservices@oem.nyc.gov
Johanna Conroy
Director of Human Services
Cell: 917-662-3295
jconroy@oem.nyc.gov
Marianne Jackson
Special Needs Liaison
Cell: 646-335-5693
mjackson@oem.nyc.gov
Eli Fresquez
Special Needs Coordinator
Cell: 347-386-0389
efresquez@oem.nyc.gov
Cynthia Barton
Disaster Housing Recovery Program Manager
Cell: 917-468-2768
cbarton@oem.nyc.gov
Jonas Ballreich
Human Services Emergency Preparedness Specialist
Cell: 347-374-1058
jballreich@oem.nyc.gov
Jay Brandt
Human Services Emergency Preparedness Manager
Cell: 646-596-3147
jbrandt@oem.nyc.gov
Annette Santiago
Director of Human Resources
Cell: 347-534-7028
asantiago@oem.nyc.gov