Fresh York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has prohibited most travel in the nation’s largest city from 9 p.m. Sunday until noon Monday, an extraordinary measure reflecting the challenge posed by a historic blizzard impacting the region.
Storm Response and City Shutdown
Mayor Mamdani also canceled classes for the city’s public schools on Monday, without remote learning. Here’s the second major snowstorm Mamdani has faced since taking office on New Year’s Day. The decisions made by the 34-year-old former state assemblyman, and how they will affect the 8.5 million residents of New York City, are being closely watched by both supporters and detractors.
The mayor addressed concerns raised about implementing remote learning during January’s snowstorm, acknowledging the difficulties virtual classes present for many families. With this storm, he announced the “snow day” by posting a screen recording of a FaceTime call with a New York City student named Victoria. In the video, he greeted her cheerfully saying “Hi Victoria” and shared the news.
“No school online, no remote learning, it’s a classic snow day,” he told her as she celebrated. “My only ask for you is that you stay safe and stay home during the peak of the storm. Once it passes, feel free to go out and sled.”
Essential Services and Vulnerable Populations
Other non-essential municipal offices and services, including libraries, will also be closed to the public. Transportation will also be affected, with Staten Island Ferry service suspended starting at 5 p.m. Sunday and expected to resume late Monday morning.
A key focus of preparations includes bolstering the response for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, who represented a significant number in the total deaths from the previous weather event. The city has reinforced its Code Blue operations, including opening additional warming centers and keeping overdose prevention centers open overnight. Eighty-four people were moved to shelters on Saturday, and additional reports regarding vulnerable individuals on the street will be redirected to 911.
The administration announced earlier this week that it would resume the clearing of homeless encampments, but the mayor said during a press conference Saturday that no evictions would capture place during the winter weather. “So our focus during the course of this storm will not be on physical infrastructure, but on getting people experiencing homelessness indoors,” he added.
Public Communication and Preparedness
The mayor has maintained an active presence on television and social media to disseminate announcements. On Sunday, wearing his customized Carhartt jacket, Mamdani posted a video on X, joining Department of Transportation crews in the Bronx with their salt-spreading operations and appearing on The Weather Channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What actions has Mayor Mamdani taken in response to the storm?
Mayor Mamdani prohibited most travel in New York City from 9 p.m. Sunday to noon Monday and canceled classes for public schools on Monday, without remote learning.
How is the city preparing for the impact of the storm?
The city has declared a state of emergency and expanded its sanitation response, with over 2,000 snow plows ready to deploy once 50 millimeters of snow accumulate, and more than 2,600 sanitation workers working 12-hour shifts.
What is being done to protect vulnerable populations?
The city has reinforced its Code Blue operations, including opening more warming centers and keeping overdose prevention centers open overnight. Reports regarding vulnerable individuals on the street will be redirected to 911.
As New York City braces for this significant weather event, how will residents balance the need for safety with the desire to enjoy a rare snow day?
