It's been over two years without any significant snowfall for NYC. The weather forecast for today was between 5-8 inches but we only got a bit more than 3 inches. Still, that was enough for Roosevelt Island kids to get their sleds out and enjoy the hills on the Cornell Tech campus.
Today, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Communications Director Bryant Daniels:
Any comment from RIOC on today's street and sidewalk snow plowing operations?
Why were car owners not told to clear their street parking spots so that the plows could clear the entire street?
Were there any problem areas for snow clearing?
Mr Daniels replied:
The RIOC Grounds Team has been working hard on the snow removal efforts all day. This storm presented some challenges in that the forecast changed pretty significantly over the last 24-48 hours, going from a predicted 1-2 inches to 5-8 in a relatively short timeframe. Because the storm tracking and projected snow totals were a bit unclear up until yesterday, PSD and Operations didn’t think there was enough advanced notice to ask motorists to move their cars, so we’re working around that. No major issues to report.
And Central Park is always beautiful in the snow.
But there were huge problems with the NYC Schools remote learning today.
Today was not a big snowstorm but it was enough for a beautiful picture of the colorfully lighted Roosevelt Island Christmas Holiday Tree on the freshly snow covered Rivercross Lawn
and NYC East River waterfront skyline in the early morning before the day began taken by resident Kaja Meade.
And the snow was enough for a fun filled day for a few lucky kids sledding
You can see the hard-working crew fighting the blizzard to keep drives and
walks open, they have been at it for some time. Same with our awesome crew at
460. The snow is relentless right now.
The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a hazardous
travel advisory for Monday, February 1, and Tuesday, February 2. The National
Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for New York City in effect
from 7 p.m. tonight through 6 a.m. Tuesday. According to the latest forecast,
a winter storm is expected to bring snow to the area beginning Sunday night
through Tuesday. Steady to light moderate snow will develop as early as Sunday
evening, intensifying overnight through the Monday morning rush. The heaviest
period of snow is forecast mid-morning Monday into the evening, with the
potential for snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour. Snow is expected to
taper off after midnight Tuesday, but intermittent light to moderate snow
could linger into Tuesday before the system moves out of the area. A total of
14 to 18 inches of snow is expected, with locally higher amounts possible.
Gusty winds are also in the forecast for Monday, with sustained winds 20 mph
to 30 mph, and gusts up to 45 mph. The combination of heavy snow and gusty
wind conditions could cause blizzard conditions. Temperatures below freezing
are expected on Monday and Tuesday, which will result in the potential for
continued dangerous road conditions after the snow has ended.
New snow forecast: 18"- 24" for NYC, NE NJ, Lower Hudson Valley, much of
Nassau, & portions of SW CT. Lesser amounts as you head E due to warm
air aloft & at the surface, changing snow to wintry mix of rain, snow,
& sleet. A changeover to all rain is likely for Twin Forks of LI
pic.twitter.com/ZvJHUMeHp4
Video: Earlier this afternoon, Commissioner Grayson and
@nycemergencymgt
Commissioner Criswell were at the Spring St. Salt Shed with the latest
information about the upcoming Nor’easter.
https://t.co/YQi8oGbYib
According to the Roosvelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Please be advised, due to the forecasted winter storm watch issued for NYC,
we will be suspending all parking on Main St. (between Tram Plaza Rd. and
750 Main St. Opposite McManus Field) starting at 12 PM tomorrow, Sunday,
January 31, 2021.
Alternate parking will be available in the North East parking lot at Coler
Hospital (east promenade). In addition, meter fees will be suspended at all
Cornell Tech campus parking.
Parking under the Helix will be made available to vehicles who carry a
disabled placard/plate, while space allows. Kindly note that only customers
who pay for monthly parking will be permitted to park at Motorgate
Garage.
The Tram and Red Buses are expected to run on a regular schedule, however
please anticipate delays in service due to impacts from the
storm.
An update will be provided when parking restrictions are lifted.
I’m hoping that NYC Sanitation continues its great track record of keeping
our Bridge, Helix, & Main Street initially clear, so NYFD & NYPD
have good access.
Second, I am hoping that our long-timers, as well as our new-comers of the
RIOC Snow-plowing/clearing/shoveling/sanding/salting/etc. Team have a
relatively easy time of it tomorrow & Tuesday. And, especially, for
folks who do have to go out, that the crosswalks are remembered &
cleared as often as possible.
And,
Third, I hope the Building Managers get reminded of their responsibilities
to keep not only their entrances & exits clear, but that they, and the
commercial tenants remember to keep their sidewalks clear as well.
Our most recent storm demonstrated that some of them couldn’t figure out
just what part of the sidewalk to clear.
I’ve seen it all when it comes to clearing snow - whether one inch or 30 —
and it’s mostly been good...Our folks are the best.
Last December, most of the Roosevelt Island sidewalks were plowed fairly early
but some were not.
Stay warm and safe. For the kids and more adventurous, sledding on the Cornell
Tech campus hills.
Roosevelt Island got its first snow day of 2020 but unlike past years, local kids having fun and enjoying themselves sledding in the snow was not to be seen.
Unless you happened to be walking on the Cornell Tech campus and spotted 2 youngsters having a great time sledding down one of the sloping hills on the campus.
NYC is expecting snow this evening thru tomorrow morning.
A Winter Storm Warning continues for the entire area. The heaviest snow will occur from approximately 9 pm to 4 am. The snow tapers off at, or just before the start of the Monday AM commute. The further southeast one goes, the likelihood of lower snowfall totals increases.
National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for our area, Sun, 3/3/19. Wind chills at or below 32 degrees and snow accumulation of 3”- 6”.
There will be “NO PARKING, NO STOPPING OR NO STANDING” on Main St. or the East and West Roadways from, Sun, 3/3/19 at 4:00PM THRU Mon, 3/4/19 at 6:00PM in order for snow preparation and subsequent removal to take place.
Free parking for residents ONLY at Motorgate Garage during this time. Proof of residency and vehicle registration must be presented upon entering. Vehicle must be registered to Roosevelt Island residents. Vehicles may utilize the Motorgate parking starting at 4PM, Sunday, March 3, 2019 and must be moved by 6PM on Monday March 4, 2019 when Main Street reopens for parking.
Call PSD for more info: 212-832-4545 or call Motorgate: 212-832-4585
There has been very little snow this year. So when we had a bit of snow yesterday, it was time for some to play Roosevelt Island Snow Basketball
But, a long time Roosevelt Island resident, who moved here during a blizzard, noticed some areas of Roosevelt Island were not cleared of snow on Saturday morning and reported.:
I called Public Safety at 10 am from Nisi, where I arrived after the most awful, dangerous, and treacherous walk past the Dry Cleaner & Bubble Tea folks. I asked them to please send a Sargent out to both establishments to remind them they are required to clean, salt & sand their sidewalks after a snowstorm. I also asked them to contact Island House about the fact that no one had cleaned the sidewalks outside their building fronting Main Street.
What happened to RIOC, who usually plows, sands & salts most of the sidewalks from Manhattan Park to the subway & Tram? They seem to have bypassed both Island House & that one short stretch of east sidewalk just past 580 Main just past the crosswalk.
After 36 years here, I'm kinda sad that 3 inches of snow seems to have made everyone stupid.
I was surprised to see the sorry state of most of the crosswalks between 8:30 & 10:30 am. Glad to see the Bus Stops in good condition.
I was a little surprised & annoyed that RIOC did not request folks to get their cars off Main Street last night so plowing, salting & sanding could be curb-to-curb. So a blizzard wasn't forecast, but letting folks keep their cars on the street overnight just makes everything after it stops snowing a little worse.
Wondering what they will do for tomorrow evening thru Monday morning.
Also, here's an engineering question for the next big snow or rain.
Going north on Main Street by the original WIRE buildings, the Z-bricks on the street by the curbs continue their sinking into the sand under the, causing huge puddles & possible vehicular hazards as the water & run off gets deeper & deeper. Didn't RIOC try to correct this after the gas lines were laid? The Red Bus drivers pull out from the north-bound stops as far to their left as is safe (since there are no visible yellow lines in the middle of Main St since the last hack paint job) to avoid a possible sinkhole or other disaster.
Just asking.
Here's some pictures taken Saturday morning of the good and bad of Roosevelt Island snow clean up.
It's snowing today. Where do Roosevelt Island kids go to sled now the the Southtown Riverwalk Hill no longer available because of construction of new building? pic.twitter.com/eYtU1DVejX
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
