STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The New York City Department of Sanitation has scheduled a Snow Alert to go into effect at 1 a.m. Sunday amid what the department noted could be the largest snowfall the city has seen in five years.
A snow alert is described as the department’s “higher level” snow-fighting notification, a step up from the “lower level” Winter Operations Advisory.
With a general snowfall forecast of between 9 and 12 inches, the department touted its snow-fighting capabilities in a press release on Friday.
The release indicated that preparations for this snow have begun and will continue throughout the weekend.
Since Friday morning, the department has been applying brine to highways, streets, and bike lanes. Additionally, Sanitation workers have been affixing plows and chains to all department collection vehicles, turning them into plows.
Beginning Saturday evening and continuing throughout the storm, there will be about 2,000 Sanitation employees on hand for every 12-hour shift.
The department, which has about 700 million pounds of salt, will also have 700 salt spreaders ready to roll once the first flakes begin to fall.
Streets will be plowed once two inches of snow accumulates. The release noted that this could happen as early as 9 a.m. Sunday. Residents can track the progress of the department’s snow removal vehicles at nyc.gov/PlowNYC.
The snow-fighting operations will be monitored via DSNY’s BladeRunner 2.0 system, which enhanced service to Staten Island during recent snowfall.
Due to sub-freezing temperatures in the wake of the storm, the department will conduct snow-melting operations, something the department has not done since 2022, according to the department. During these operations, snow is removed and melted down in a giant hot tub before being disposed of in the city’s sewer system.
The department reminds property owners that they are responsible for clearing sidewalks. Additionally, the department reminds residents that pushing their snow into the street is illegal.
The FDNY urges residents to take caution
The FDNY is asking residents to take precautions during this weekend’s snowstorm.
“Cold weather brings an increased risk of fires and other emergencies,” said Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. “We want you to be safe in this storm. Taking a few basic precautions, like using space heaters safely and having working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, can help protect your family. Our EMTs, Paramedics, Dispatchers, and Firefighters are ready to respond to any type of emergency, at any time, no matter what. We need your help making sure they can safely access hydrants and entryways.”
The fire department asks residents to use space heaters safely by keeping them at least three feet away from items that can burn and to turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep. Heaters should also be plugged directly into an outlet, not into an extension cord.
Residents are also urged to not use ovens or gas ranges to heat their home.
The department encourages residents to check on their neighbors. Residents should also ensure their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and functioning properly.
The FDNY advises families to stock up on supplies ahead of the storm and develop an emergency plan.
Once the snow begins to fall, the department asks residents to clear a path to hydrants and entryways to ensure they are visible to the FDNY in the event of an emergency.
For more safety tips, visit FDNYSmart.org.