STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Sunday afternoon that the five boroughs are under a local state of emergency as a massive blizzard barrels towards the city.
“The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority. As this blizzard moves in, our administration is mobilizing every tool at our disposal, around the clock, to keep our neighbors safe. This emergency declaration allows us to cut through red tape so emergency vehicles, sanitation crews, and essential workers can move quickly and do their jobs without delay,” Mamdani explained in a written statement.
As a result, all streets in New York City will shutter to any automobiles other than the essential vehicles from Sunday at 9 p.m. to Monday at noon.
This local state of emergency — which will last for five days — allows for the following actions to happen, as listed in the statement:
Suspends Alternate Side Parking for Monday, Feb. 23. Directs the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to monitor and enforce against price gouging. Instructs New York City Emergency Management, the City of New York Fire Department, the New York City Police Department, the New York City Department of Sanitation, and the New York City Department of Transportation to take all necessary steps to protect public safety.
Before announcing this local state of emergency, Mamdani confirmed that New York City public school students will enjoy a “traditional” snow day: No remote learning required.
The push for remote learning on what would be traditional snow days comes as the city is required to have students attend 180-days of instruction.
However, the city “received a waiver from the 180-day instructional requirement to prioritize the safety of students, staff and families,” the statement said.
“Out of an abundance of caution, schools will be closed tomorrow. We’ve also opened warming centers in all five boroughs to make sure no one is left out in the cold. I’m urging every New Yorker to please stay home. Check in on your neighbors, especially seniors and those who may need extra support. This declaration strengthens our ability to back up our first responders as they put themselves on the line, and it protects working families from price gouging during this storm. In moments like this, we show who we are as a city — we take care of each other,” Mamdani said.
“During the last storm, vehicles that were parked in bus lanes were snowed in for days, significantly worsening traffic conditions and making it difficult for buses and emergency vehicles to pass. In preparation for the upcoming storm, our office has coordinated with DOT and NYPD to have temporary signage posted along Hylan Boulevard,” Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said.
Fossella continued on to say, “Beginning today, from Guyon Avenue to Steuben Street, signs will be placed asking residents not to park in bus lanes for 48 hours due to the snowstorm. These measures will help ensure buses can operate safely and allow Sanitation crews to effectively clear the roads.”
“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation. Stay warm and stay safe, Staten Island,” Fossella said.