YONKERS MAYOR MIKE SPANO DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO SNOW BLIZZARD CONDITIONS

Mayor Orders Non-Emergency Vehicles Off The Road

Yonkers, NY – January 23, 2016 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced that he has issued a state of emergency effective immediately, ordering non-emergency and unauthorized vehicles off the roads until rescinded by a subsequent order. Mayor Spano has also activated the City’s Emergency Operations Center, which will be staffed with all essential personnel throughout the duration of the snow storm, with blizzard conditions are expected throughout the day.

All necessary precautions are being taken by the City to assure the safety of residents due to the storm. Vehicles are prohibited from parking on designated snow emergency routes (routes can be found at www.yonkersny.gov).  Throughout the storm, City of Yonkers crews will deploy city employees working 12 or 16 hour shifts, manning 25 large plows and salters, 12 small plows and salters; 2 front-end loaders (heavy tractors).

The City of Yonkers also updated regulations, cancellations and closures for today and tomorrow, January 27:

Parking Restrictions

• Alternate side parking rules and meters are suspended. Residents are strongly encouraged to park their vehicle(s) in their driveway or garage, where possible
• As always, residents should not park on designated snow emergency routes

Recycling and Garbage Collection

• The Recycling Center is closed

Program Cancellations and Closures

• All programming taking place at Yonkers Public Schools
• Senior Centers
• Yonkers Public Library
• Parks Department recreation programs
• Aquatics at Mark Twain and Yonkers Avenue pools
• Parks Department Project Friendship/Young Adult Club
• Indoor Permit Holders at Yonkers Public Schools
• Coyne Park Rifle Range
• Murray’s Skating Rink

In the effort to protect the safety of residents, Mayor Spano reminds them of the following safety tips:

• Residents, business owners, property owners and renters should not shovel snow into the street so fire, police and ambulance crews can safely access emergency routes
• Residents, business owners, property owners and renters are reminded to clear their sidewalks and ensure that fire hydrants are clear and clean of snow and ice within six hours after every snowfall, which ends in the daytime, and before 12:00 pm of the day after any snowfall, which occurs during the night.
• The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all; otherwise don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.
• Protect your water meter from icy drafts and freezing temperatures. Most frozen meters are caused by drafts from an open basement door or window so double check your property for drafts as the cold weather sets in

In addition, the Yonkers Police Department has issued the following safety tips:

• Have flashlights, a battery-operated radio or television and fresh batteries handy
• If you must use candles, please be careful and keep them far away from
• children and flammable materials
• Store adequate supplies of non-perishable food that need not be refrigerated
• If you use an alternate-heating source, such as a fireplace, wood stove or kerosene heater, be sure to provide adequate ventilation. Otherwise, carbon monoxide poisoning could occur
• Shut doors to unused rooms and close the drapes to retain heat
• Check on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly and live alone

If you require assistance or for more information, residents also are encouraged to:

• Call the Mayor’s 24-hour Hotline at 377-HELP (4357)
• Visit yonkersny.gov
• Visit the City’s Twitter at @cityofyonkers or Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofyonkers for updates on cancellations throughout this and every weather event
• Other important numbers include: Con Ed Emergency at 1-800-752-6633 and Yonkers Police Non-emergency at 914-377-7900.

###

Media Contact:

Christina Gilmartin

Communications Director, Office of the Mayor

City Hall: 914-377-6208

Cell: 914-512-4017

Christina.gilmartin@yonkersny.gov

Alert sent on 01/23/2016 at 11:55AM EST

YPD VEHICLES AT CITY HALL

Additional Information

Attachment: Download EMERGENCY DECLARATION

To submit a tip via text message text YPDinactive and your tip to 847411

Alert delivered to the following groups: Yonkers Police Dept, Yonkers Police - Business Alerts, Yonkers Police - Press Releases, Yonkers Police - 2nd Precinct, Yonkers Police - 1st Precinct, Yonkers Police - 3rd Precinct, and Yonkers Police - 4th Precinct

Link to Agency