NYC schools, airports, events canceled for winter storm Stella on Tuesday

Above-ground subway halts at 4 a.m. Tuesday

March 13, 2017 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Scenes very much like those seen last month when winter storm Niko whipped into Brooklyn are expected when Stella brings a blizzard to the city on Tuesday. Photo by Mary Frost

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New York City public schools will be battening down the hatches on Tuesday as a nor’easter named Stella swoops in, bringing blizzard conditions, freezing cold and dangerous winds.

Besides canceling public school classes, the city’s Department of Education (DOE) announced that after-school programs, adult education, YABC programs and PSAL activities are also scrubbed. (DOE central and field offices will remain open.)

The city’s senior centers are also closing. Homebound clients have received extra meals to ride out the storm.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered above-ground subway service to halt at 4 a.m. Tuesday.

And don’t even think about flying anywhere on Tuesday, as airports have already canceled thousands of flights.

Organizations across the city are also rescheduling planned meetings and events.

Councilmember Laurie Cumbo announced that a Bedford Union Armory Status Update meeting, which was to be held at Medgar Evers College on Tuesday, has been canceled. A Chag Purim Sameach event has also been shelved.

The current forecast calls for 12-20 inches of snow, with winds of 25-35 mph and gusts up to 55 mph. Snowfall rates of 2-4 inches per hour are possible, which may result in whiteout conditions visibilities of less than a quarter mile.

A Coastal Flood Watch is also in effect from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday.

“We’re preparing for a significant storm on Tuesday, and New Yorkers should also prepare for snow and dangerous road conditions,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “Besides the snow, it will be cold. We urge you to avoid unnecessary travel and help keep roads clear for Sanitation crews and first responders.”

The city’s Department of Sanitation is pre-deploying 689 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. PlowNYC will be activated and more than 1600 plows will be dispatched when more than two inches of snow accumulates.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state Emergency Operations Center would be activated Monday night, and directed state agencies to be on heightened alert.

Alternate Side Parking regulations are suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday, but meters remain in effect. Garbage and recycling collections will be suspended once snow operations begin.

The Office of Emergency Management tells residents to be prepared to potentially lose power. New Yorkers are advised to charge cell phone batteries, gather supplies and turn refrigerators to a colder setting.

If you see a homeless person out in the cold, call 311 and an outreach team will be dispatched to offer assistance.

Don’t forget pets

ASPCA reminds pet owners to stock up on pet food and medicines before the storm hits.

Owners should wipe off their dog’s paws and belly with a moist washcloth after going outside in the snow, ASPCA says. Snow-melting salt can be very painful to dogs’ feet and cause illness if ingested. Clumps of snow can accumulate between toes and cause pain as well.

Outdoor cats sometimes sleep underneath cars for shelter in the cold. Bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give any resting cats a chance to escape.