NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Addresses Winter Storm Preparedness and Response

Winter Storm Preparedness and Response

• ❄️ New York City is responding to a significant winter storm with a coordinated citywide effort, including DSNY workers who have been preparing for days.
• 💡 Mayor Mamdani was briefed on the city's response in a comprehensive NISM emergency planning meeting, highlighting the tireless work of city employees in freezing conditions.

Remote Learning and School Operations

• 📚 Due to extreme weather, tomorrow will be a remote school day for New York City students, with no in-person instruction and all after-school programs cancelled.
• 💻 The city has stress-tested systems, provided students with necessary materials and technology, and ensured vendor capacity for virtual learning.
• 🏫 For high schoolers and students in grades 6-12, tomorrow remains a day off due to a previously scheduled professional learning day.

Storm Forecast and Cold Weather Dangers

• 🌨️ The storm is expected to bring up to 11 inches of snow, with heavy snowfall continuing this afternoon and sustained 35 mph wind gusts anticipated around 8:00 p.m.
• 🥶 Light freezing rain will fall overnight, tapering off by noon tomorrow, with New Yorkers facing temperatures colder than experienced in eight years.
• ⚠️ The intense cold poses a fatal risk to those without shelter, with at least five New Yorkers found deceased outdoors prior to the snow's commencement.

Homeless Services and Warming Centers

• 🏠 The city has opened 10 warming centers in school buildings, in addition to 126 shelters, over 50 hospitals, and 35 safe havens, ensuring sufficient resources to shelter every New Yorker.
• 📞 A Code Blue remains in effect, with DSS staff and partners checking on vulnerable residents every two hours, and New Yorkers are urged to call 311 if they see anyone needing help, as calls are rerouted to 911.
• ✅ No one will be denied shelter, and hospitals and drop-in centers have an open-door policy.

City Agency Coordination and Transportation Updates

• 🚗 DSNY has deployed over 2500 sanitation workers, with salt spreaders and plow vehicles monitored by the Blade Runner system, completing a full city plow by 8:30 a.m.
• 🌉 DOT crews are tending to bridges, Parks department workers are clearing snow, and the NYPD is providing escorts to EMS and DSNY.
• 🚆 The MTA reports all subway lines are operating locally, buses are running with delays and reroutes on 18 routes, and commuter railroads are on modified schedules.
• ⛴️ NYC Ferry has suspended all service until further notice, while the Staten Island Ferry is running hourly.
• 📚 All three public library systems will be closed today and tomorrow.

Public Safety and Community Support

• 🏠 New Yorkers are strongly advised to stay at home and off the roads due to dangerous conditions and a hazardous travel advisory.
• 🤝 The city acknowledges and thanks New Yorkers for their acts of kindness, such as bringing meals to neighbors and helping seniors, highlighting the compassionate spirit of the city.
• 💻 The city encourages signing up for Notify NYC updates by texting "notify NYC" to 692692.

School Operations and Technical Support

• 💻 For the remote learning day, the Department of Education has increased help desk capacity to 140 people, active from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 718-935-55100.
• 📚 Systems have been stress-tested to handle the capacity of the entire school system logging on, with staggered start times and prepared principals for a successful remote learning day.