Winter Weather Emergency Declaration

Good afternoon AWS Partners,

The Advance Warning System 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 issued a Winter Weather Emergency Declaration for NYC from Saturday, January 23, 2016 8:00 a.m. until midnight. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Blizzard Warning for New York City from Saturday 4:00 a.m. to noon Sunday. This system is forecast to bring heavy snow along with strong and potentially damaging winds, and will create slick and hazardous travel conditions. All unnecessary driving should be avoided. National Weather Service has also issued a Coastal Flood Warning citywide except for Manhattan from 6:00 a.m. to noon and 5:00 p.m. to midnight. Beach erosion and localized flooding may occur.

2-3" of snow accumulation is expected by daybreak, with heaviest snowfall occurring Saturday afternoon, and 12-18" totals expected by the end of the storm. Winds will be 25-35 mph sustained; with gusts up to 55 mph. Areas at risk for coastal flooding include Bronx and Queens along the western LI sound, Jamaica Bay, Sheepshead Bay, Rockaway, Lower NY, and Staten Island. Surge plus regular tide will result in an expected inundation of 2-3 feet above ground levels. The storm is expected to end Sunday morning.

To report any hazardous conditions (including on sidewalks or roadways), call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit NYC.gov/311. General storm information and status updates are also available by texting 311-NYC (311-692), the 311 Mobile App, and @NYC311 on Twitter. 311 is available 24 hours a day and provides translation services for up to 180 languages. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Travel Safety Tips:

New Yorkers are encouraged to take the following precautions:

For Motorists

• Motorists are advised to stay off the roads during the storm; white-out conditions are expected.
• If you must drive a vehicle, monitor weather and traffic reports for the latest road conditions. Use mass transportation whenever possible.
• 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 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.
• 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.

Safe Home Heating Tips

• 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.

Check on your neighbors, friends, and relatives - especially the elderly and those with disabilities and access and functional needs. People most likely to be exposed to dangerous winter weather conditions include those who lack shelter, work outdoors, and/or live in homes with malfunctioning or inadequate heat. Seniors, infants, people with chronic cardiovascular or lung conditions, people using alcohol or drugs, and people with cognitive impairments such as from dementia, serious mental illness or developmental disability, are at increased risk.

More Information:

For more helpful tips for staying warm and safe, 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 a snowstorm please see this information from the ASPCA.

NYC Emergency Management Human Services Unit:
Human Services email distribution list: humanservicesesf@oem.nyc.gov

Christopher Pagnotta
Advance Warning/Community Outreach Specialist
Cell: 347-578-1485
cpagnotta@oem.nyc.gov

Sonia Ajwani
Human Services Emergency Support Function Coordinator
Cell: 347-266-0204
sajwani@oem.nyc.gov

Roseann Mastrandrea
Human Services Emergency Support Function Coordinator
Cell: 646-628-7754
rmastrandrea@oem.nyc.gov