NYC Mayor Mamdani Details Preparations for Major Weekend Snowstorm

Storm Preparedness and Response

• ❄️ New York City is preparing for a major winter storm with forecasts predicting a foot or more of snow, potentially one of the largest snowfalls in years.
• 🚨 The city's emergency management department is coordinating efforts across all government levels to ensure streets are cleared, New Yorkers are safe, and vulnerable populations are sheltered.
• 💧 The sanitation department began brining highways and major roadways at 6 a.m. to prevent snow and ice from sticking.

Snowfighting Operations

• 🚚 Thousands of DSNY collection trucks and agency partners will form the nation's largest snowfighting operation, with over 2,000 sanitation workers starting 12-hour shifts.
• 🌨️ 700 salt spreaders will be deployed as soon as the first snowflakes fall, and 2,200 plows will activate once 2 inches of snow accumulate, likely Sunday morning.
• 🗺️ DSNY's Bladeunner 2.0 system will monitor plowing and salting in real-time to ensure equitable service across all neighborhoods.

Code Blue and Homeless Services

• 🥶 A Code Blue has been enacted, requiring homeless services outreach workers to canvas the five boroughs and connect homeless New Yorkers with shelter.
• 🚪 DHS will bypass standard intake procedures to expedite getting people into shelters, ensuring no one is denied.

Education and Communication

• 🏫 A decision on whether schools will be in-person or remote will be communicated to families by noon on Sunday; traditional snow days will not be the case due to state law requiring 180 instructional days.
• 📱 New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC (text 'notify NYC' to 692692) for real-time updates and alerts throughout the storm.
• ⚠️ A hazardous travel advisory is in effect for Sunday and Monday, urging residents to complete necessary errands today and stay home during the storm.

MTA and Transportation Readiness

• 🚆 The MTA will be operational, with detailed plans to protect the network, riders, and employees, including prepositioning equipment and personnel.
• 🚌 The bus network is ready to handle increased demand, with 35 snowfighting vehicles and all buses fitted with chains, though articulated buses will be out of service.
• 🌉 Bridges and tunnels are equipped with over 9,000 tons of roadway deicer and 100 pieces of equipment.

Public Concerns and City Response

• ❓ A key concern is New Yorkers not taking the storm seriously; officials urge everyone to stay home on Sunday to allow city workers to clear roads and emergency crews to move freely.
• 🛣️ The city has procured 700 million pounds of salt and is prepared for a range of snowfall, from 8 to 12 inches or more.
• 🤝 City agencies, including DSNY, DOT, NYPD, and FDNY, are working collaboratively, with NYPD assisting in traffic routing and FDNY ensuring ambulance access.
• 📍 Plans are in place for equal plowing across all five boroughs, monitored by the public-facing Plow NYC portal and internally by Bladeunner 2.0.
• 🚨 Emergency declarations will be made if roadway conditions warrant, with materials drafted and ready.
• 📚 Remote learning capacity has been increased, with the system stress-tested to handle a million students logging in simultaneously within 60 seconds.