DSNY Issues “Snow Alert” for Tuesday, January 12 at 4 P.M. to Prepare Equipment and Personnel for Possible Storm

The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued an agency preparedness “Snow Alert” for Tuesday, January 12 at 4 p.m. A snow alert is not a weather forecast, but indicates the potential for winter precipitation. Calling a “Snow Alert” allows DSNY to begin to prepare for a possible response by loading salt spreaders, attaching plows (if necessary), preparing tire chains and notifying other city agencies and supplementary personnel as needed. 
 
DSNY is coordinating with the Office of 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. DSNY will continue to monitor forecasts and will provide updates as the snow event approaches. 
 
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. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for the Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can sign up for 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.
 
The DSNY Snow 101 FAQ is available online.
 
About the New York City Department of Sanitation
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) promotes a healthy environment through the efficient management of solid waste and the development of environmentally sound long-range planning for handling refuse, including recyclables. The Department operates 59 district garages and manages a fleet of more than 2,000 rear-loading collection trucks, 450 mechanical brooms and 500 salt/sand spreaders. The Department clears litter, snow and ice from approximately 6,500 miles of City streets and removes debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles from City streets.