Community Alerts

Winter Snow Alert 1.31.21

Jan 31, 2021
Winter Snow Alert 1.31.21
Everyone knows by now that the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Warning for New York City from Sunday, January 31, 2021, 7:00p.m. until Tuesday, February 2, at 6:00a.m. Heavy snow is expected, with total snow accumulations of 14 to 18 inches expected, and winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Blizzard-like conditions are possible Monday and Monday evening. 
 
The Lincoln Square BID's Clean Team will be out tomorrow morning shoveling snow from crosswalks, bus stops, fire hydrants and helping to ensure that our sidewalks are passable. As a reminder, property owners, lessees, tenants, occupants or other persons having charge of any lot or building must clean snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their properties. 
 
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is coordinating with NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation on snow clearing protocols in accordance with each agency's written snow plan.  Click here to read more about the City's response. 
 
Here's what else you need to know: 
 
  • As reported in The New York Times, Mayor de Blasio announced that vaccinations scheduled for Monday, February 1 have been postponed and will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Call 311 or your provider for more information.
-NYC public school buildings will be closed on Monday, February 1. All students scheduled for an instructional day will learn remotely. All Meal Hubs will be closed. Click here for information on schools.  
 
  • Open Restaurants roadway dining is SUSPENDED all day Monday, February 1, 2021. Sidewalk seating may continue while roadway seating is suspended. The City will notify restaurants when they can reopen roadway seating for outdoor dining. At this time, the City is not asking that restaurants remove any roadway barriers or structures.  While DSNY has trained to remove snow on streets with roadway dining structures, restaurateurs must also take steps to protect their property and the public:
  • Remove or secure any tables and chairs in the roadway.
  • Remove all electrical heaters in the roadway.
  • Use snow sticks to increase visibility of roadway dining structures.
  • If possible, remove any overhead coverings, or regularly remove snow from overhead coverings.
Property owners, including restaurants with outdoor dining structures, may NOT push snow into the street. 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. Do NOT block fire hydrants. 
 
Restaurant owners may find additional information to prepare their spaces for snow by clicking here. 
 
  • Alternate Side Parking Suspended on Monday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 2; Meters will be in effect 
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. You can also sign up for Notify NYC to receive all advisories, alerts, and snow-related updates. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit www.nyc.gov, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
 
Stay safe!