By Tiffany Williams –
NEW YORK — Zohran Kwame Mamdani has declared a local state of emergency ahead of a severe snowstorm expected to slam New York City, triggering sweeping travel restrictions and a five-day emergency order.
City streets, highways, bridges and tunnels will be closed to non-essential vehicular traffic from 9 p.m. Sunday to 12 p.m. Monday. Violating the travel restriction is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor.
Limited exceptions apply to vehicles providing emergency services, public transportation, medical supplies, food, fuel, utility repairs and other critical services.
The order takes effect immediately and remains in effect for five days, unless extended or revoked.
“This is an intense storm and it is expected to continue throughout Monday morning and into the afternoon before finally tapering off,” Mayor Mamdani said. “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,” said Mayor Mamdani. “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.”
SCHOOLS CLOSED, NO REMOTE LEARNING
All New York City Public Schools buildings — except those operating as warming centers — will be closed Monday, Feb. 23. There will be a traditional snow day. No remote instruction. All after-school activities are canceled.
In coordination with the New York State Education Department, the city received a waiver from the 180-day instructional requirement to prioritize safety.
City offices will be closed for in-person services. Essential employees must report to work. Nonessential employees may telework.
TRAVEL LOCKDOWN ACROSS FIVE BOROUGHS
The emergency declaration establishes a temporary citywide travel restriction closing NYC streets, highways, bridges and tunnels to most vehicular traffic during the designated window. Commercial trucks, electric bicycles, scooters and mopeds are included in the prohibition.
Exempt vehicles include government and emergency response vehicles, public transit including MTA buses and Access-A-Ride, vehicles delivering food, fuel and medical supplies, utility vehicles performing emergency repairs, transportation for essential workers traveling to workplaces including health care facilities, pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, media outlets, hotels and laundromats, transportation to hospitals and court facilities, and nonprofit and private organizations providing emergency relief.
Alternate Side Parking is suspended for Monday, Feb. 23.
The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has been directed to monitor and enforce against price gouging.
SANITATION AND FIRST RESPONDERS SURGE
The New York City Department of Sanitation has been in full-force operations since 6 a.m., deploying 2,600 sanitation workers on each successive 12-hour shift. Seven hundred salt spreaders are loaded. Thousands of plows are ready.
Collection will be delayed following the storm. Residents with Monday recycling are being asked to hold that material to the following week.
The New York City Fire Department is increasing staffing starting Sunday at 6 p.m., with five firefighters on all Engine Companies and additional staffing citywide. High-axle vehicles, Rapid Response Vehicles for cold calls, and chained ambulances are being deployed. Trainings are canceled so personnel can be utilized in the field.
The New York City Police Department Highway Patrol will escort sanitation crews to salt and plow streets. A tow truck task force is activated with trucks pre-staged citywide. High-water rescue teams are activated in anticipation of moderate coastal flooding.
TRANSIT, FERRIES AND BRIDGES
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is advising customers to check service updates before traveling. Most subway lines will operate local service and scheduled track work has been suspended. Bus service may be adjusted based on road conditions.
Empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks are prohibited on multiple major bridges from 7 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.m. Monday.
Staten Island Ferry service will switch to an hourly schedule at midnight, returning to half-hour service at 6 a.m.
Scooter share service has stopped. Citi Bike service will halt at 8 p.m.
WARMING CENTERS AND HEALTH RESPONSE
The New York City Department of Social Services will deploy 22 warming buses citywide. Additional warming spaces are available at 11 NYC Health + Hospitals facilities and 13 school locations.
Department of Homeless Services will operate under enhanced Code Blue protocols with an open-door policy. During Code Blue, 311 is routed to 911 so first responders can mobilize quickly.
NYC Health + Hospitals will deploy WARM ambulettes and mobile units providing clinical consultations and distributing blankets, clothing, warm meals and water, and transporting unsheltered New Yorkers to warm locations. Most in-person Monday clinic appointments are being converted to telehealth visits, as clinically appropriate.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is issuing safety guidance on heat loss, hypothermia, and frostbite. Older adult centers will be closed Monday.
UTILITIES, HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION
Con Edison has mobilized additional crews, opened a Situation Room, secured mutual aid, and will operate with around-the-clock coverage beginning Sunday evening. Customers are urged to stay clear of downed wires and report outages.
The New York City Housing Authority has deployed additional elevator and heating teams and has generators on standby.
The New York City Department of Buildings has issued a weather advisory to contractors and will conduct spot-check inspections. If sites are not secured, the department will issue violations and Stop Work Orders.
The New York City Department of Correction has activated its Emergency Operations Center, pre-positioned snowplows, and stocked thousands of blankets and thermal garments for use on Rikers Island.
FOUR-FOOT RULE AND PRICE WATCH
Property owners are mandated to clear a path of at least four feet across sidewalks to accommodate wheelchairs.
Consumer protection officials are on alert for price gouging.
The city’s message is direct and forceful: stay home, let emergency crews operate, and comply with travel restrictions.
This is not advisory. It’s enforcement-backed lockdown ahead of a blizzard — and New York is moving into full operational storm mode.