It can be difficult to enjoy snow in New York City when you know all too well what the aftermath looks like: gray, cement-like piles on the sidewalk littered with trash and dog poop. (Pick up the poop, people. Snow doesn’t magically erase the poop.)
But there is something awe-inspiring about today’s storm that draws attention to the here and now. My house faces the Prospect Expressway, and instead of the constant noise of vehicles, I hear nothing but the occasional gust of wind. Our house is muffled by blizzards pressed against the window screens and it feels like we’ve been dropped into a much more northerly place on the globe.
The city is also calmer thanks to a ban on non-essential traffic, which was announced yesterday as part of Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani’s declaration of a local state of emergency. To the delight of public school students, Mayor Mamdani also announced a traditional snow day, meaning no remote instruction, and alternate side parking was suspended.
The snow will end soon and the good news is that spring will arrive in a month. Here’s what else you need to know about recovering from New York’s historic snowstorm.
When should I clear my sidewalk?
Property owners are responsible for shoveling their sidewalks. If that’s you, you’ll need to clear a path that’s at least four feet wide so pedestrians can pass safely. Remove snow from around fire hydrants and curbs, but do not place it on the street. Good luck finding a place to put it.
If snow stops falling during the day, you have four hours to clear your sidewalk or face fines of up to $250. There are longer grace periods when the snow stops at night.
To report a sidewalk that has not been cleared, go to 311 online. And if you want to get paid for being a emergency snow shovel, Pay starts at $19.14 per hour and increases to $28.71 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week.
When will my street be plowed?
NYC said it would begin plowing streets at 6 a.m., with sanitation workers working in 12-hour shifts; with the deployment of 700 salt spreaders and thousands of plows. According to a statement, DSNY said it has deployed hundreds of rental equipment and thousands of paid emergency snow shovelers, much earlier than in previous snow events, and is using new strategies and data tracking to better clear crosswalks and bus stops.
To learn more about how plows work, including why plows push snow to the right (to prevent oncoming traffic from blocking the left lane) and what snowplows spit out (a mixture of rock salt and calcium chloride), check out some Frequently asked questions about snow responses at DSNY. And you can go there TeamNYC for real-time information about the last time a team was in your street.
How do I find someone who wants to dig out my car?
Do you need help with the hard work of digging out your car? You can post on social media to see if anyone wants to make some money.
Or you can turn to the apps: Schovler This allows you to request on-demand snow removal for your car, driveway or sidewalk. Of TaskRabbit, you can book a “Tasker” for snow removal services, including digging out your car.
When will my waste be collected?
Because the same sanitation workers who plow the streets are responsible for collecting your trash, recycling and composting, collection will be delayed after this storm. DSNY is asking residents with Monday recycling to save materials for the following week. Follow DSNY on social media to stay informed: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Wires, And Twitter/X.
How do I keep my floors clean?
If you haven’t already commandeered a shoe-free apartment, a snowstorm in New York might make you a convert, unless you enjoy cleaning up sleet and salt-covered shoe prints. A large baking sheet near your door works great to catch the melting ice from your boots.
What to do with all the bread and milk?
If you’ve been panic buying bread and milk, your best bet is to make French toast, but do yourself a favor and try baking it on a baking sheet in the oven. I promise it will be amazing and much easier than cooking it on the stove. Work smarter, not harder.
#snow #guide #cleaning #NYC #snowstorm