MAYOR DE BLASIO’S SECOND NEW YORK CITY WINTER STORM UPDATE

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Mayor De Blasio

WARNS OF SEVERE OVERNIGHT COLD TEMPERATURES AND ICY ROADS

With temperatures plummeting to dangerously cold levels, Mayor Bill de Blasio urged New Yorkers to exercise extreme caution, to limit exposure outdoors, and to reach out to anyone who may be in need following today’s winter storm. The Mayor warned New Yorkers that icy sidewalks and roads will make travel hazardous through tomorrow.

“It is going to be bitterly cold tonight. The snow may have stopped, but we are not out of the woods. If you can avoid traveling and stay inside tonight, please do so. If you must go outside, dress warmly and be extremely careful—and avoid driving if possible,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “And remember: there are people out there who are going to need our help tonight—the elderly, people with medical challenges, homeless families—and we need to work together as a city to reach them. We urge everyone to check in on their neighbors, and if you see someone in distress, report it immediately.”

Overnight wind chills could push temperatures below zero degrees, leading to frostbite or hypothermia for anyone exposed to the cold for extended periods.

Mayor de Blasio announced the following updates and encouraged New Yorkers to sign up for NotifyNYC alerts at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC for the latest news on services affected by the severe weather. Information is also available by calling 311.

Homeless Outreach: The Department of Homeless Services continues to use its Cold Weather Emergency Procedure, Code Blue, to protect unsheltered individuals. Community members that identify someone on the street they believe needs assistance should call 311 and ask for the Mobile Outreach Response Team; in any emergency community members should call 911. The Department of Homeless Services will send an outreach team to the location to assess the individual’s condition and take appropriate action.

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.

Housing and Heat: Building owners are required to provide tenants with heat ensuring apartments maintain a temperature of at least 68 degrees from 6 AM to 10 PM, and at least 55 degrees from 10PM to 6AM.

Please report any loss of heat or hot water to your building owner or manager, and to 311 if they are unresponsive. Never use a gas stove, kerosene or propane space heater, charcoal grill, or generator indoors to heat your home. If a carbon monoxide detector goes off in your home, immediately open a nearby window and call 911.

Department of Health inspectors will join the Housing Department this weekend to check on vulnerable populations. DOH is also engaged in surveillance through its poison control center to monitor any spikes in CO poisoning.

The Department of Buildings is urging building owners and managers to remove ice from their buildings where possible. If ice removal is not possible, building owners and managers should rope off the unsafe area.

Public Housing: Continued resident outreach through the utilization of NYCHA’s automated systems is advising residents of the weather event, providing guidance if residents require services or observe an unsafe snow or ice condition, and asking that they check in on vulnerable residents.

Snow Removal: The PlowNYC feature on NYC.gov continues to post real-time updates of snow clearance.

Residents and business owners are urged not to shovel snow into the street when shoveling sidewalks and cars, which will delay snow clearance.

Slippery and icy conditions are expected tonight. Drivers are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, and if they do drive, to exercise caution.

Garbage Collection: There will be no trash and recycling pickups until snow clearing efforts are complete.

Parking: Alternate Side Parking Regulations are suspended citywide Friday, January 03, 2014 and Saturday, January 5, 2014, to facilitate snow removal after consultation with DSNY.

Parking meters remain in effect throughout the city.

Ferry Services: The Staten Island Ferry and the East River Ferry are running on normal schedules.

The Rockaway Ferry remains out of service.

Emergency Services: All city hospitals and emergency rooms remain open.

Additional ambulances have been added to supplement service while difficult travel conditions persist.

Senior Services: Home-delivered meal clients received double meals on Thursday, and have shelf-stable meals that will last through Monday.

For further updates, visit NYC.gov or call 311.

 

 

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