NYC Blizzard Update: Storm Impact, City Response, and School Reopening

Blizzard Conditions and Storm Impact

• ❄️ New York City experienced near blizzard conditions with 16 to 19 inches of snow in most areas, and over 24 inches in parts of eastern Staten Island.
• 💨 Extreme winds with gusts up to 60 miles per hour accompanied the storm, with gusts expected to remain high into the evening.
• ⚠️ The worst of the storm has passed, but snow is projected to linger through the afternoon with an additional 1.5 to 2.5 inches expected.

City Response and Services

• 🚨 A state of emergency remains in effect, with a hazardous travel advisory in place until midnight, though the travel ban has ended.
• 🛣️ Over 2600 sanitation workers, 2300 plows, and 700 salt spreaders have been mobilized for snow clearing operations.
• 🛠️ DSNY has cleared over 600 crosswalks, 419 fire hydrants, and almost 900 bus stops overnight, with expanded snow shoveling capacity.
• 💻 The 'Blade Runner 2.0 System' monitors plowing in real-time, and a plow tracker is available at NYC.gov/plowNYC.
• 🚚 DSNY has distributed over 50 million pounds of salt and plowed over 99.5% of city streets at least once.
• 🚌 The NYPD Tow Truck Task Force is actively clearing stuck vehicles, including MTA buses, especially in Staten Island.
• 📚 Public schools will reopen for in-person instruction on Tuesday after a snow day on Monday.
• ⛴️ NYC Ferry remains suspended for the rest of the day, while the Staten Island Ferry is running on a reduced schedule.
• 🏛️ All public libraries and city buildings remain closed today, with updates on reopening expected later.

Public Safety and Support

• ⚠️ Code Blue remains in effect and has been extended through Wednesday morning to assist homeless New Yorkers.
• 🏠 Outreach workers made 79 placements into shelters overnight, with additional capacity provided by warming buses and centers.
• 💡 Power has been restored to over 8000 of the 11,000+ New Yorkers who experienced outages, with warming centers opened in affected areas.
• 📞 New Yorkers are urged to check on neighbors and call 311 for those in need of warmth or shelter.
• 🚫 Alternate side parking is suspended through the week, and trash collection will be delayed, with recycling delayed into the following week.
• 🚶 Property owners are mandated to clear four-foot-wide paths across sidewalks, with summonses to be issued for non-compliance.
• ❤️ The wet and heavy nature of the snow requires caution when shoveling; older adults are advised to stay indoors.

Transportation and Infrastructure

• 🚆 The MTA workforce has been on the front lines, with subway and bus systems operating with delays and adjustments.
• 🚂 Long Island Railroad service is suspended due to heavy snow and winds, with plans to resume partial service tomorrow.
• 🚇 Metro-North is operating with reduced service, planning an enhanced Saturday program for tomorrow.
• ✈️ Flights were suspended overnight, and travelers should confirm directly with airlines for updates.
• 🚲 Lyft has begun clearing Citi Bike stations, with progress expected to accelerate.

Storm Preparedness and Future Outlook

• 📢 Over 45,000 New Yorkers have signed up for Notify NYC, which provides immediate updates on forecasts and conditions.
• 🌨️ There is a possibility of additional precipitation, including smaller amounts of snow, as early as Wednesday.
• 🌡️ Warmer temperatures are forecast for the coming days, which will aid in snow clearing and make salting operations more effective.
• 🤝 The response highlights a testament to whole-of-government collaboration, with numerous city agencies, utility providers, and non-profit partners working together.