DSNY Issues ‘Snow Alert’ for Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 5 a.m.
Roadway Dining and Open Streets Suspended Thursday; Sidewalk Dining May Continue
Alternate Side Parking Suspended Thursday, February 18, Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20; Meters will be in effect
The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Thursday, February 18th, 2021 beginning at 5:00 a.m.
Based on current forecasts, the Department expects snowfall beginning early Thursday morning and continuing into Friday. The National Weather Service forecast calls for accumulations of 4 to 9 inches. All winter weather information and information about the City’s response to the storm can be found by visiting the City’s Severe Weather website at www.nyc.gov/severeweather or by calling 311.
In a Snow Alert, the Department coordinates with NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation on snow clearing protocol in accordance with each agency’s written snow plan. All relevant city agencies have been notified of the snow alert.
Operations Update
The Department is expecting substantial snowfall, and its Workers and equipment are prepared. Salt spreaders and brine trucks will start pretreating some roadways ahead of the snowfall on Wednesday night. Additionally, the Department’s collection trucks have again been turned into snow plows, ready to plow once two inches of snow has fallen. The Department has more than 2,000 total vehicles equipped with plows, including salt spreaders.
Trash/Recycling Collection:
During active snowfall, snow clearing operations take priority. The Sanitation Workers who collect trash and recycling are the same Sanitation Workers who plow and salt the streets. The Department will return to collection services as soon as snow operations allow. Residents may put their trash and recycling out at the curb following their normal schedule, however snow operations take priority and collection delays are to be expected. We thank residents for their patience as we work to battle back-to-back-to-back snow and ice storms.
Alternate Side Parking
In order to facilitate snow removal operations, Alternate Side Parking regulations will be suspended Thursday, February 18, Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20. Parking meters will remain in effect.
Guidance for Open Restaurants
Open Restaurants roadway dining is SUSPENDED on Thursday, February 18. Sidewalk dining may continue. Additionally, restaurants should remove or secure furniture, and remove electric heaters. Remove the tops of structures if possible or regularly clear snow off of structures to prevent damage. The City will notify restaurants when they may reopen roadway seating for outdoor dining.
Restaurant owners may find additional information to prepare their spaces for snow at https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/openrestaurants.shtml.
Protected Bike Lanes
The City takes the safe passage of our bicycle facilities seriously, especially for the essential workers who need to be out in any weather. However, the Department’s initial focus during an active snow event is to keep our roadways clear for emergency vehicles to ensure New Yorkers never lose access to critical medical, fire and police services. Plowing and salting of bike facilities will begin after the emergency roadway work is underway. Protected bike lanes on main avenues will be addressed first after the end of snowfall, and PBLs on other streets will be addressed within 24-72 hours.
Snow Clearing Information
As a reminder, property owners, including restaurants with outdoor dining structures, 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, where possible.
New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can sign up to receive phone calls, text messages, and emails alerts about severe weather events and emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit www.nyc.gov or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
Find information on Sanitation snow operations along with residents’ responsibilities during and after snow at nyc.gov/snow.