Mamdani gives updates on New York City's winter storm response

New York City Snowstorm Press Conference – January 26th Update

Key Concepts:

• Code Blue: A designation activated during freezing temperatures, prioritizing shelter access and bypassing standard intake procedures for homeless individuals.
• DSNY (Department of Sanitation New York): The city agency responsible for snow removal and street cleaning.
• NISM (New York City Incident Management System): The city’s coordinated emergency response system.
• Remote Learning: Utilizing technology to deliver instruction to students outside of the traditional classroom setting.
• Hazardous Travel Advisory: A warning issued to discourage non-essential travel due to dangerous conditions.
• Blade Runner System: DSNY’s real-time monitoring system for snowplows and salt spreaders.
• Notify NYC: The city’s official alert system for emergency information.

I. Current Situation & Forecast

Mayor Eric Adams began the press conference outlining the ongoing snowstorm impacting New York City. Snowfall began early in the morning, with forecasts predicting up to 11 inches of accumulation. Heavy snowfall is expected to continue throughout the afternoon, with wind gusts reaching 35 mph around 8:00 PM. Light freezing rain is anticipated overnight, tapering off by tomorrow, but with continued light snow, freezing drizzle, and wind gusts until noon. Critically, the storm is bringing sustained colder temperatures than the city has experienced in eight years.

II. School Closures & Remote Learning Implementation

Due to the extreme weather, all New York City public schools will operate remotely tomorrow, January 26th. All afterschool programs, adult education, and school-based programming are cancelled. High school students and those in grades 6-12 with a pre-scheduled professional development day will have the day off. As of 10:20 AM, over 162,000 students and 77,000 teachers had already logged onto the system in preparation. The city has stress-tested systems, provided students with necessary technology and materials, and is working with vendors to ensure sufficient system capacity. Chancellor Kamar Samuels emphasized the preparation undertaken by educators and the IT team, including setting up virtual classrooms and testing the system. Students in grades K-8 will receive a mix of real-time and asynchronous instruction, while high school students already scheduled for a professional development day will remain off.

III. Addressing Vulnerable Populations & Homeless Outreach

The Mayor highlighted the extreme danger posed by the cold to those without shelter, referencing the deaths of at least five New Yorkers before the snow even began. While the cause of death is still under investigation, the incident underscores the vulnerability of homeless individuals. The city has sufficient shelter resources and is actively conducting outreach, with DSS staff checking on vulnerable residents every two hours. Ten warming centers have been opened in school buildings (two per borough), providing food and shelter. These are in addition to the existing 126 shelters, over 50 hospitals, and 35 safe havens. A Code Blue remains in effect, streamlining shelter access. New Yorkers are urged to call 311 (which will be routed to 911 during the Code Blue) if they see someone in need of assistance. The Mayor reiterated that no one will be denied shelter.

IV. Citywide Response & Sanitation Efforts

The city government is fully prepared and responding to the storm. DSNY began pre-salting highways and major streets on Friday at 6:00 AM. Over 2,500 sanitation workers are deployed on 12-hour shifts, laying down salt. Sanitation crews began spreading salt citywide by 5:10 AM after the first snowfall at 5:00 AM in Staten Island. The city completed a full plow across the city by 8:30 AM. The operation involves over 700 salt spreaders and 2,200 plow vehicles, monitored in real-time by the DSNY’s “Blade Runner” system. All city agencies are coordinating, with DOT tending to bridges, Parks Department removing snow from parks, NYPD providing escorts to EMS and DSNY, and FDNY maintaining full emergency response capability.

V. Transportation Updates & Service Adjustments

The MTA is continuing regular operations, though service adjustments may be necessary. The Long Island Railroad and Metro-North are operating on reduced schedules due to visibility. NYC Ferry has suspended all service. The Staten Island Ferry is running on an hourly schedule. All bus service at Port Authority has been suspended. All three public library systems are closed today and tomorrow. Utilities (ConEd and National Grid) are being monitored. The FDNY has equipped 100% of its ambulances with four-wheel drive and added additional ambulances from partner hospitals. No ambulances have been reported stuck as of the press conference.

VI. Public Safety & Recommendations

The Mayor strongly urged New Yorkers to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel, citing hazardous conditions and a hazardous travel advisory. He advised those shoveling snow to pace themselves and check on seniors and neighbors. He also encouraged New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC updates by texting “notify NYC” to 692692.

VII. Addressing Questions from the Press

• Fatalities: The Mayor stated that the five deaths occurring before the snowfall are under investigation by the medical examiner, and it currently appears the individuals were not homeless.
• Power Outages: The city is monitoring for potential power outages and advises residents to call 311 to report them. Caution was urged regarding the use of space heaters.
• Commuter Concerns: The Mayor acknowledged the need for commuters from outside the city and stated he had been in contact with Governor Hochul.
• Remote Learning Rationale: The Mayor explained the shift from a potential snow day to remote learning was influenced by state requirements for 180 instructional days and the need to maintain educational continuity.
• Technology Support: A support desk is available at 718-935-5100 from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM tomorrow to assist with any remote learning technical issues.

Notable Quotes:

• “No one in this city will be denied shelter.” – Mayor Eric Adams
• “If you can avoid it, do not drive.” – Mayor Eric Adams
• “I can think of no better excuse for New Yorkers to stay home, take a long nap, or take advantage of our public libraries offer of free access to heated rivalry on ebook or audiobook for anyone with a library card.” – Mayor Eric Adams
• “Teachers and admin and administrators, we've got this.” – Chancellor Kamar Samuels

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The press conference conveyed a strong message of preparedness and coordinated response to the severe snowstorm. The city is prioritizing public safety, particularly for vulnerable populations, and is actively working to maintain essential services. The shift to remote learning reflects a balance between providing educational continuity and acknowledging the dangers of travel. The emphasis on communication, outreach, and collaboration across agencies underscores the city’s commitment to navigating the storm effectively and ensuring the well-being of its residents.