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NEW YORK - New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) has issued a Hazardous Travel Advisory for New York City beginning Sunday, February 22 through Monday, February 23 as the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts 12-20 inches of snow citywide, with a chance of higher localized totals.
"As our city prepares for levels of snow not seen since 2016, my administration is ready. We are activating every tool at our disposal to keep New Yorkers safe, informed and indoors," said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. "We all have a role to play in keeping our communities and neighbors safe, and so while DSNY loads salt spreaders and DOT prepares our streets for snowfall, I am encouraging every New Yorker to stay inside and avoid travel."
"New Yorkers should prepare for what could be the most significant snowfall we've seen this year," said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. "Heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding have the potential to make travel dangerous from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. While the city works around the clock preparing for this blizzard, we're asking New Yorkers to do their part as well: stay informed, sign up for Notify NYC, avoid unnecessary travel, and check on your neighbors."
"For the second time in less than a month, heavy snow will hit New York City this weekend. DSNY is preparing for a massive deployment, but our work is more difficult if you are on the roads. Do your part to help our work by staying off the roads, staying safe, and, if you're a property owner, preparing to clear an accessible path on your adjacent sidewalk at the end of precipitation," said Javier Lojan, Acting Commissioner, NYC Department of Sanitation.
Hazardous travel is forecast to begin Sunday afternoon and become dangerous overnight into Monday morning as heavy snow, low visibility, and strong winds impact the city. According to NWS, the heaviest snowfall is expected between 10 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Monday, with rates of 1-2 inches per hour and periods of localized higher rates likely.
Strong winds gusting up to 55 mph with isolated gusts up to 60 mph will produce blowing and drifting snow with the potential for scattered power outages. Widespread minor coastal flooding is likely Sunday night, with possible moderate flooding in vulnerable areas including Jamaica Bay, Staten Island, and The Battery.
NWS has issued a Blizzard Warning beginning 1:00 p.m. Sunday through 6:00 p.m. Monday. New Yorkers are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel from Sunday afternoon through Monday. Snowfall rates of up to two inches per hour, powerful wind gusts, and whiteout conditions will make roads hazardous and, at times, dangerous. Staying off the roads is critical to allow plows, salt spreaders, and emergency vehicles to operate safely and effectively. Public transit riders should anticipate potential service disruptions and delays and monitor the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for the latest updates.
Alternate Side Parking (ASP) will be suspended Monday, February 23, and Sanitation crews will begin pretreating roadways and deploying plows and salt spreaders at full capacity.
NYCEM Actions
NYCEM is working closely with the National Weather Service to monitor changes in the storm's track and intensity and to communicate the storm forecast and impacts to New York City.
NYCEM's Situation Room is activated, and the city's Emergency Operations Center will be activated Sunday morning to coordinate the city's response to the storm's impacts. The Tow Truck Task Force has been activated ahead of the storm to quickly remove disabled vehicles from city streets, and the Downed Trees Task Force has been placed on standby to coordinate post-storm clean-up.
NYCEM hosted more than a dozen interagency conference calls on Saturday with city and state agencies and public and private partners to coordinate the city's preparations for the storm.
NYCEM is working directly with Con Edison to maintain real-time status updates on power conditions throughout the city and is conducting extensive outreach to elected officials with the latest information regarding the storm's track and potential impact to the city.
NYC Community Emergency Response Team volunteers have been activated to assist with snow measurement, fire hydrant clearing, and storm grate clearing in support of FDNY and Department of Environmental Protection operations.
Snow Preparedness Tips
If travel is absolutely necessary, allow ample time and use extreme caution on untreated sidewalks and roadways. Property owners must clear sidewalks adjacent to their property and are encouraged to dig out fire hydrants and clear vents safely. Check on neighbors who may need assistance.
Coastal and low-lying residents should move vehicles to higher ground, secure outdoor items, and prepare for flooding. Basement dwellers should have Go Bags, elevate belongings, and be ready to relocate. Charge devices, expect power outages, and never enter flooded streets while monitoring forecasts and alerts.
New Yorkers should sign up for Notify NYC to receive real-time emergency alerts and updates in 14 languages and ASL. Subscribe at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, download the Notify NYC app, or call 311.
Warming Centers
The city has opened warming centers in all five boroughs to provide safe, heated indoor spaces for New Yorkers in need. The city will deploy 18 warming buses, 11 Health + Hospitals warming spaces, and 13 school warming centers open across the city. Locations will be available on LinkNYC kiosks by 6:00 AM Sunday morning.
The most up-to-date information on warming center locations and times can be found at on.nyc.gov/warmingcenters or by calling 311.
Emergency Snow Shovelers
It's not too late to become a paid Emergency Snow Shoveler. Registration is available without an appointment at all NYC Sanitation garages Sunday from 8am to 1pm. Check eligibility and find out what you need to bring at nyc.gov/snow.
Snow Clearing Information
While DSNY clears streets and bike lanes, property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks. As a reminder, property owners and car owners may NOT push snow into the street, including bike lanes. This impedes snow clearing operations and is illegal. Snow may be moved against the building, to the curb line, or areas on private property. Sidewalks should be passable for all pedestrians, including a minimum 4-foot clear path, and unsheltered bus stops, fire hydrants, and curb ramps are included in this requirement.
If the snow stops falling between:
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7 a.m. and 5 p.m., property owners must clear sidewalks within 4 hours
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5 p.m. and 9 p.m., property owners must clear sidewalks within 14 hours
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9 p.m. and 7 a.m., property owners must clear sidewalks by 11 a.m.
Property owners with Empire Bins are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the Empire Bin to facilitate collection.
Have a Plan
Before Winter Weather
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Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. NYC law requires them.
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Wear warm layered clothing, hats, and sturdy boots.
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Check your snow equipment. Keep rock salt and shovels.
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Winterize your car. Prepare a kit with blankets, food, water, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, reflectors, and first aid kit.
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Register with your utility provider if you rely on life-sustaining medical equipment. Keep backup power ready.
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Keep essential supplies at home so you can stay safely indoors during and after a storm.
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Know how to get help with heat through the Home Energy Assistance Program. Call 311.
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Keep a battery-powered radio available if power is lost.
During Winter Weather
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Stay indoors if possible.
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Dress in layers and cover exposed skin.
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Watch for frostbite (numbness, pale or waxy skin) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion, drowsiness). Call 911 if you see symptoms.
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Use heating equipment safely. Never use stoves, ovens, kerosene heaters, or grills to heat your home.
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Do not leave space heater or electric blankets unattended.
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Run generators only outdoors and away from windows.
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Report heat or hot water outages to your landlord, then call 311 if not resolved. NYC law requires minimum indoor temperatures from October 1 through May 31:
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Daytime (6 a.m. - 10 p.m.): At least 68°F inside when it's below 55°F outside
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Nighttime (10 PM - 6 AM): At least 62°F inside, regardless of outside temperature
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Hot water: At least 120°F year-round
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Take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.
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Ask neighbors or community groups for snow removal help if needed.
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After Winter Weather
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Check on neighbors, especially older adults and those with access needs.
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Clear snow safely. Shovel slowly. Take breaks. Keep hydrants clear
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Prevent carbon monoxide risks by clearing car tailpipes and using detectors.
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Stay away from downed power lines. Treat them as live and call 911 if they are causing a life-threatening situation.
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To report downed trees in NYC, call 311. For life-threatening emergencies involving a tree, such as one blocking a road or near power lines, call 911 immediately.
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For the latest updates, visit NYCEM's website, sign up for emergency alerts by visiting the Notify NYC page, or call 311
Flood Safety
For New Yorkers in coastal flood-prone regions and low-lying areas:
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Relocate parked vehicles to higher ground or inland, ensuring they do not obstruct roadways or block emergency access.
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Gather Supplies: Every household member should have a Go Bag packed with essential items, such as bottled water, non-perishable food, and basic medical supplies.
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Tidal Awareness and Coastal Barriers: Monitor tide tables and storm surge forecasts. Know when high tides are expected in your vicinity and be prepared to adjust your plans. Where feasible, deploy sandbags or other deployables suitable for a residence to reduce the risk of tidal water intrusion.
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Watercraft and Boat Security: If you own boats or watercraft, secure or relocate them immediately. Fluctuating tides can not only carry them away but loose watercraft can cause additional damage.
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Storm Drains and Local Warnings: If it's safe to do so, check and clear any nearby storm drains to help manage water runoff and lessen the chances of localized flooding. Pay attention to localized warnings, especially those pertaining to rip currents and high waves.
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Home Safety and Utility Measures: Ensure your home's sump pumps are operational and familiarize yourself with how to safely shut off utilities like gas, water, and electricity. If you reside in a basement or below-grade apartment, be particularly vigilant, as these areas are more susceptible to flooding. Follow City guidance for additional actions specific to below-grade dwellings. Subscribe to Notify NYC's Basement Apartment Dweller subgroup for key alerts.
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Document & Insurance Review: Secure essential documents in waterproof containers and maintain digital backups. Review your insurance to ensure you have specialized flood coverage, as standard policies often don't cover flood and wind damage. Consider enrolling in the National Flood Insurance Program. Learn more at floodsmart.gov.
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Prepare for Outages: To gear up for potential power disruptions, keep your cell phones charged, stock up on supplies. If power outages are predicted, consider adjusting your refrigerator and freezer to colder settings to extend the shelf life of perishable items. Ensure that flashlights and battery-operated radios or TVs are functional, keeping extra batteries on hand. If you rely on Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and lose power, dial 911 for immediate assistance, and remember never to use generators indoors. Check on vulnerable individuals in your community, such as older adults and people with disabilities or health conditions and assist them in their preparations.
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Pet Safety: Make provisions for your pets' safety, including the need to leave your home and to take your pet with you.
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Plan for Special Needs & Check on Your Neighbors: Make it a point to check on neighbors who are older adults or who may require special assistance. If you have a disability or specific access and functional needs, make sure your emergency plan accounts for how these factors could impact your ability to respond quickly and communicate effectively during a crisis. Seek assistance from your family or service providers as needed.
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Avoidance and Caution: Do not venture into flooded areas. These zones may be contaminated or electrically charged. Take preemptive action by assembling a Go Bag with essentials like food, water, and first-aid supplies.
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Documentation: When it's safe, contribute to our collective flood risk understanding by capturing and submitting photos via the MyCoast portal (mycoast.org/ny) or the MyCoast app. Don't forget to also file flood reports through 311.
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Real-Time Awareness: Stay updated on changing flood conditions by monitoring real-time flood depth via the FloodNet website (floodnet.nyc).
Stay Informed
Sign up for Notify NYC at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, Text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692, download the app, or call 311. Alerts are available in multiple languages, including a dedicated group for basement apartment residents.
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MEDIA CONTACT: NYCEM Press Office (718) 422-4888
STAY CONNECTED: @NotifyNYC (emergency notifications), @nycemergencymgt (emergencypreparedness info)
Facebook: /NYCemergencymanagement
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