Winter Storm Warning for Thursday, January 4
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for portions of southern Connecticut and southeast New York, including the 5 Boroughs of New York City beginning Thursday, January 4, at 1 AM. Snow is forecast to begin around midnight Thursday, with the heaviest snow expected to fall during the morning commute. A total of 5 to 8 inches of snow is forecast, with higher amounts possible. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow. Public schools will be closed.
We urge New Yorkers to be prepared for extremely hazardous/dangerous travel due to snow covered roads and poor visibilities. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency, and have winter survival supplies with you.
For up-to-date weather updates, visit NYC's severe weather page.
For concerns about your role as an emergency responder, please read the letter below:
Dear NYSNA Nurse,
Nurses always stand ready to respond to any emergency, and thousands of NYSNA members will always be on the front lines responding to seasonal hurricanes and winter storm blizzards.
NYSNA continues to engage with employers in all potentially affected areas about our recommendations for emergency preparation. NYSNA nurses stand ready to meet any emergency with any and all appropriate measures. However, we always need to be informed of efforts underway and concrete planning accomplished to address emergency conditions.
We are asking hospital management to establish a clear command and communication structure, including local NYSNA leaders, and to make appropriate plans for staffing and for nurses who must travel long distances to work. Click here to see our full sample letter to hospital management.
Please keep careful records of all your time worked, as well as what accommodations are provided for you, including meals, emergency transportation to work, sleeping arrangements, and access to showers. And please keep careful records of staffing and any staffing issues on your unit.
NYSNA will post regular updates on our Facebook page, Twitter, and a special Blizzard section of our blog when an official emergency is declared.
If you have any questions during an extreme weather emergency or concerns, contact your NYSNA delegate or representative. We have also established a weather emergency hotline phone number and e-mail address. NYSNA staff will be checking these mailboxes periodically during the emergency and forwarding your messages to the staff person assigned to your area. Here’s how to reach the hotline:
- e-Mail storm@nysna.org
- Call 212-785-0157 and dial extension 193. [NOTE: you must wait for the first greeting to fully end before you can dial the extension to leave a message. Be sure to dial the extension so we can address your concerns as soon as possible.]
Please include your name, mobile phone number, and the name of your facility, and a NYSNA representative will contact you as soon as possible.
If you have a true emergency, please call 911 right away.
I am so proud to work with nurses like you.
In solidarity,
Jill Furillo, RN
NYSNA Executive Director