For Immediate Release
#71-18

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY PM RUSH

A wintry mix of snow and rain to cause slippery conditions during the evening commute

November 14, 2018 — The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Thursday, November 15. According to the latest forecast, a wintry mix of snow and rain is expected to cause slippery conditions during the Thursday evening commute. Snow is expected to develop around noon on Thursday, before changing over to rain in the evening. Rain will taper off Friday afternoon. A total of 1 to 2 inches of snow is forecast for New York City, with locally higher amounts possible. New Yorkers should prepare for slippery road conditions, and are advised to exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking.

“We are expecting the first snowfall of the season and we do not want you to be caught off guard,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “Take it slowly during the evening commute home and allow for extra travel time. The snow and rain can cause slippery road conditions during the evening rush.”

Department of Sanitation

• The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is readying 695 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. DSNY will activate PlowNYC and will dispatch plows if more than two inches of snow accumulates on roadways. DSNY has 275,000 tons of rock salt available for the winter season.
• Garbage/recycling collections are planned to be on normal schedules on Thursday.
• Alternate Side Parking is suspended Thursday to facilitate snow removal operations. Parking meters are in effect.

Safety Tips

• Drive slowly. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
• Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they stop less quickly than other vehicles.
• Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.
• Know your vehicle’s braking system. Vehicles with anti-lock brakes require a different braking technique than vehicles without anti-lock brakes in snowy conditions.
• If you are driving and begin to skid, ease your foot off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Straighten the wheel when the car moves in the desired direction. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump the brakes on an ABS equipped vehicle.
• Try to keep your vehicle’s gas tank as full as possible.
• Pedestrians should exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible. Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs.
• Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.
• Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement. New Yorkers are also encouraged to download the Notify NYC mobile App, which is available for free download from iTunes or Google Play. Notify NYC is the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can also receive phone calls, text messages, and/or email alerts about winter weather conditions and other emergencies. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.