2015 Winter Storm Update

Daniel L. Squadron

January 26, 2015


The National Weather Service has issued a citywide Winter Weather Advisory, which is in effect until Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6 PM. The current forecast calls for 1 to 2 inches of snow. For the latest forecast, go here.

Schools: Schools are closed today, Tuesday, and all after-school and PSAL activities have been cancelled. Additionally, all Regents exams scheduled for today, Tuesday,  will be rescheduled for Thursday. Please visit the DOE's Website or OEM for real-time updates on school closures/cancellations.

Clearing sidewalks: After snow stops falling, if you are a property owner, you must clear snow and ice on your sidewalk to create a path for pedestrians. You must also remove snow and ice from sidewalks next to bus stops and hydrants. For more info, go here.

Street plowing: You can track the progress of City plows and when your street was last plowed by going here.

Street closures: All NYC streets and all state controlled highways in NYC have been reopened to all vehicular traffic. However, the lower level of the Manhattan Bridge is currently closed to Manhattan-bound traffic until Wednesday’s morning rush hour. Please visit OEM for updates on street closures, and check on Thruway and other state highway closures here.

Subways, Buses, and Trains: All subway and bus service has resumed on a limited schedule, operating under a Sunday schedule starting at 12pm today, Tuesday. Metro-North will resume service today, operating on a Sunday schedule on the Hudson & Harlem Lines beginning at approximately 11 AM, and on the New Haven Line starting at 1 PM. Long Island Rail Road is expected to begin operating trains on its electrified branches on a Sunday schedule around 12pm today. Make sure to check the MTA's website for service status updates before using mass transit. 

Ferries: The East River Ferry began operations at 8:30am from Pier 11, today, Tuesday. There will be one boat operating every hour until 10:00am when a second boat will come on, making a frequency of one boat every half an hour. The Staten Island Ferry resumed operations at 7:30am today. For updates on the East River Ferry, go here. For updates on the Staten Island Ferry, go to OEM's Website.

Heat and hot water: If you lose your heat or hot water, contact your building owner, manager, or superintendent immediately. If the issue is not resolved, contact 311. For NYCHA residents who lose heat or hot water, call NYCHA’s Call-In Center at (718) 707-7771.

Power outages: You can report power outages on Con Ed’s website or by calling 1-800-75-CONED. You can also report power outages to 311.

Parking: Alternate Side Parking is suspended today, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but parking meters will remain in effect.

Sanitation: Garbage and recycling pick-up has been cancelled for today, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Parks: Parks remain closed as of 10am today, Tuesday. The Parks Department advises against going into a park during and immediately after the storm because of the possibility of downed trees and tree limbs.

Be informed: Sign up for Notify NYC, the City's free emergency notification system, to receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about severe weather events and other emergencies.

Be prepared: the NYC Office of Emergency Management has compiled important information on how to prepare for severe winter weather, available here.

Please make sure to check in on elderly and other neighbors who might need a hand. Also, if you have problems with unplowed streets, downed power wires or tree limbs, or other unsafe conditions, you can report them via 311. And remember, only contact 311 for non-emergencies and use 911 for true emergencies.

You can also always contact my office in addition, for non-emergencies, by calling 212-298-5565 or sending an email to squadron@nysenate.gov.