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Good evening AWS Partners,
The Advance Warning System (AWS) disseminates information to New Yorkers with disabilities and others with 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.
Mayor de Blasio today issued a travel advisory for Wednesday, February 10, 2016, and reminded New Yorkers to remain alert and aware of cold temperatures and slippery conditions.
"New York City is expecting two to four inches of snow tomorrow, and we may also experience flooding in vulnerable areas along the coast," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We're urging New Yorkers to allow for extra travel time during your commute, drive slowly, and exercise caution when walking or biking. We also urge coastal residents to take the necessary steps to protect their property."
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 6:00 PM today through noon Wednesday. Light snow is expected to begin this evening and will continue through Wednesday morning, with the heaviest snow forecast to fall overnight. A total snow accumulation of 2-4 inches is predicted. Temperatures Tuesday night are forecast to be at or below freezing. Daytime temperatures Wednesday will be in the high 30s, but nighttime temperatures will drop to the mid-20s, creating the potential for slick road conditions. New Yorkers are asked to exercise caution and be prepared for limited visibility and slippery road conditions. Please allow for extra travel time during the morning and evening commutes.
The National Weather Service has also issued a Coastal Flood Advisory in effect from 8:00 PM Tuesday until midnight, and from 7:00 AM-Noon Wednesday for areas along the southern shores of Queens and Brooklyn, and areas near the coastline in Staten Island. During a Coastal Flood Advisory, minor flooding of the most vulnerable shore roads and/or properties is possible. Coastal residents should be alert for updates and take action to protect property.
SNOW PREPARATIONS
DSNY
The NYC Department of Sanitation has been under a snow alert since 3: 00AM Monday, February 8th, and will pre-deploy 579 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. In addition, DSNY will have 1,600 plows available in anticipation of any plowing needs (more than 2 inches of accumulation). 2,400 Sanitation workers will be assigned to the overnight shift.
DOT
� Anti-icing trucks will be deployed on the East River Bridges before the start of the snow and remain throughout the event.
� DOT will have more than 300 staffers on the ground and will continue to coordinate snow removal efforts with DSNY.
� SI Ferry expected to run on normal schedule. Depending on strength of storm during high tide, the SI Ferry may be experience delays.
� Citi Bike is expected to remain in service.
� JC Decaux has pretreated more than 3000 bus shelters throughout the city.
� ASP is cancelled Wednesday, February 10th for Ash Wednesday.
DHS
A Code Blue Weather Emergency notice is issued when the weather drops to 32 degrees or below. 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. Code Blue Weather Emergencies includes the following options for the homeless:
� Shelters: During a Code Blue, homeless adults can access any shelter location for single individuals. Beds are available system-wide to accommodate anyone brought in by outreach teams or walk-ins.
� Drop-in centers: All drop-in centers are open 24 hours a day when Code Blue procedures are in effect, taking in as many as people as possible for the duration of inclement weather. Drop-in staff also can make arrangements for homeless individuals at other citywide facilities.
� Safe havens and stabilization beds: Chronically homeless individuals may be transported to these low-threshold housing options, where they may go directly from the street to a bed.
DEP
� DEP is preparing staff and generators for potential deployment to ensure drinking water testing and wastewater treatment services continue unaffected.
NYCHA
� NYCHA is conducting routine winter weather preparations (prepping equipment, topping off fuel tanks for generators, mobile boilers and heating plants; and planning for snow removal)
DPR
� Parks has been shoring up beachfront protections since Winter Storm Jonas and is prepared for snow removal operations at all parks around the City.
Safety Tips
New Yorkers are also encouraged to take the following precautions:
Drive slowly. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they do not stop quicker than other vehicles.
Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.
Know your vehicle's breaking system. Vehicles with anti-lock brakes require a different braking technique than vehicles without anti-lock brakes in snowy conditions.
If you are driving and begin to skid, ease your foot off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Straighten the wheel when the car moves in the desired direction. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump the brakes on an ABS equipped vehicle.
Try to keep your vehicle's gas tank as full as possible.
Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your car in case you break down or become stuck.
Exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible. 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.
COASTAL FLOODING PREPARATIONS
NYC residents living in coastal areas expected to experience minor or moderate coastal flooding should take the following preparedness steps:
� Prepare a Go Bag that you can grab in case you need to leave your home in a hurry.
� Learn the safest route from your home or workplace to safe, high ground in case you have to evacuate. This should be part of your household emergency plan.
� If you live in a flood-susceptible area, keep materials, such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber, on hand to help protect your home.
� Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels.
� If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving or use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
� Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
� When outside, avoid walking and driving through flooded areas. As few as six inches of moving water can knock a person over. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. One or two feet of water can carry away a vehicle.
More Information
For more safety tips, view NYC Emergency Management's public service video announcement or visit NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement. 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.
For more information about keeping Pets safe during the winter please see this information from the ASPCA.
NYC Emergency Management Human Services Unit:
Human Services email distribution list: humanservicesesflist@oem.nyc.gov
Cynthia Barton Housing Recovery Program Manager
Cell: 917-468-2768
cbarton@oem.nyc.gov
Jonas Ballreich
Human Services Specialist
Cell: 347-374-1058 jballreich@oem.nyc.gov
Chris Shim
DAFN Shelter Accessibility Coordinator
Cell: 646-628-7687
cshim@oem.nyc.gov