NYC Blizzard Update: School Reopening, Road Conditions, and Snow Shoveler Pay

Storm Impact and Conditions

• ❄️ New York City experienced near blizzard conditions with 16-19 inches of snow in most areas, and over 24 inches in parts of eastern Staten Island.
• 💨 Extreme winds with gusts up to 60 mph were recorded, with gusts expected to remain as high as 40 mph into the evening.
• ⚠️ A hazardous travel advisory remains in place through midnight, and non-emergency traffic is strongly discouraged from using the roads.

City Services and Response

• 🧹 Over 2,600 sanitation workers and 2,300 plows, including 700 salt spreaders, were mobilized citywide.
• 🛠️ DSNY employed 575 emergency snow shovelers, clearing over 1,600 crosswalks, 419 fire hydrants, and nearly 900 bus stops overnight.
• 📈 The snow shoveler program capacity has expanded to 1,800 New Yorkers per shift, with pay increased to $30 per hour.
• 📍 DSNY has distributed over 50 million pounds of salt and plowed over 99.5% of city streets at least once, with ongoing efforts to clear all streets multiple times.

Reopening and Service Adjustments

• 🏫 Public schools will reopen for in-person learning on Tuesday, though libraries remain closed today with an update on reopening expected this afternoon.
• 🏢 City buildings will reopen for in-person services tomorrow.
• 🚢 NYC Ferry is suspended for the rest of today, while the Staten Island Ferry is running half-hour service.
• 🗑️ Trash collection is suspended today and tomorrow, with a plan prioritizing trash and compost for the rest of the week, while recycling will be delayed.

Public Safety and Shelters

• 🚨 Code Blue remains in effect, with enhanced measures extended through Wednesday morning to assist homeless New Yorkers.
• 🏠 Outreach workers have made 79 placements into shelters, and additional low-barrier stabilization beds have been opened.
• ⚡ Power outages affected over 11,000 New Yorkers in the Rockaways, with power restored to over 8,000; warming centers have been opened as a contingency.
• 📞 New Yorkers are urged to check on neighbors and call 311 for those in need of warmth or shelter, with 311 calls rerouted to 911 during Code Blue.

Property Owner and Resident Responsibilities

• 🚶 Property owners must clear 4ft wide paths across all sidewalks, with over 4,000 violations issued after the last storm.
• ❤️ Shovelers are advised to work slowly due to the wet and heavy nature of the snow, prioritizing their health and taking frequent breaks.
• 📢 New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC by texting 'notify NYC' to 692692 for immediate updates on forecasts and conditions.