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What To Do During a Snow Emergency

Nyack, Jan 2 8p — Winter is here in a big way, with temps dipping to 11 degrees tonight and 4-6 of snow predicted by morning. Nyack Snow Emergency Zone, Jan 2012If conditions warrant, Nyack would invoke a “snow emergency,” which requires all cars to be moved from the streets between 5th Ave and and Cedar Hill Ave and between North Franklin and the river.

As of 8p Thursday, Nyack Mayor Jen White said it was unlikely a snow emergency would be declared for this storm unless conditions worsened dramatically.

Public transportation in Rockland is running close to schedule this evening. Both TOR and TZx (Tappan Zee Express) buses are operating about 5-10 minutes late because. Metro North Commuters take note: The 12:28 am TZx bus from White Plains has been cancelled due to the NYS Thruway closure.

When two or more inches of snow hit the streets, village officials have the option of calling a snow emergency. That means if your car is on the streets in the affected area, you need to move it to a driveway or a public parking lot until the parking ban has been lifted.

Nyack’s snow emergency area includes streets that are too narrow or have steep inclines, covering the area from Franklin Street to the river (from West to East) and Fifth Avenue to Cedar Hill (from North to South). As soon as the roads have been plowed, residents can park on the street. If drivers choose to put their car in a municipal lot during a snowstorm, they have 12 hours after the snow emergency has been lifted to move their cars.

Friday’s National Weather Service Forecast

Snow likely with widespread blowing snow before 10am, then widespread blowing snow and a chance of snow between 10am and 1pm, then widespread blowing snow after 1pm. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 18. Wind chill values as low as -4. Blustery, with a northwest wind 16 to 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Nyack DPW Chief Vic Overton suggested the change two years ago to reduce overtime costs and improve public safety. In the past, vehicles which were plowed in or stuck on roads impeded emergency vehicles during snow storms. Village officials want to make sure that police cars, fire trucks and ambulances can reach all homes during a snow emergency.

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Although there’s a potential $50 fine for not moving your car, village officials hope residents will comply voluntarily should a snow emergency be called.

In addition to email alerts, radio and the village Website, snow emergency announcements will be also be made on the village hotline at (845) 358-5626 and www.NYAlert.gov.

Here’s the official announcement about the possibility of declaring a snow emergency from Nyack-NY.gov:

Snow Storm Preparations

In preparation for the winter weather that is expected later today, the Village of Nyack may declare a snow emergency, but only if the Department of Public Works determines it is absolutely necessary.

If the village declares a snow emergency, we will send out an alert and keep you informed.  If you live within the affected area and a snow emergency is declared, all vehicles will need to be moved off the street into an approved parking area.  You can review our policy which includes the affected area boundaries and approved parking areas at http://nyack-ny.gov/snow-emergency-policy.

Regardless of a declared snow emergency, if you have a driveway, please park all vehicles in it to allow so that both snow clearing vehicles and emergency vehicles can safely perform their work. And PLEASE stay off the roads except in the case of emergency.

Snow and wind create hazardous travel conditions and snow clearing will not be completed until the storm has ended. If you have a fire hydrant near your home, please help our firefighters by keeping them cleared. Do check on any elderly or ill neighbors and stay safe.

If you lose power or see a downed power lines visit www.oru.com/storms to get Orange & Rockland on the case. You can check also use this site to check the status of outages and planned service restoration. Don’t have an Internet enabled phone? You can still go “old school” by calling 877-434-4100. If you want to take your storm preparedness up a notch, you can download the O & R mobile app at www.oru.com/app.

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Nyack People & Places, a weekly series that features photos and profiles of citizens and scenes near Nyack, NY, is sponsored by Sun River Health.


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