STATEN ISLAND (WABC) — Following a day of very low school attendance in the borough, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is sending more resources to clear snowy streets on Staten Island.
This comes as NYCEM is urging New Yorkers to limit unnecessary travel and plan for extra commute time today with snow in the forecast.
Drivers and pedestrians should watch for slick roads and black ice across the Tri-State area.
On Staten Island, crews continue to face an uphill battle after the blizzard blasted neighborhoods with snow.
The borough topped out at 29 inches of snow in some areas.
Narrow streets are the main issue, making it hard for plow drivers to navigate.
The pileup of snow leaves some folks at a standstill, unable to get to work or make it to classes.
Staten Island officials say although school doors were open, attendance took a plunge with less than 20% of students making it to class yesterday for in-person learning. That’s significantly lower than the citywide figure of 62%.
According to the Dept. of Education, they saw 12,000 sick calls, and only were able to slot 5,000 substitute teachers in to replace them.
Mayor Mamdani and the trade union of teachers have opposing points of view on in-person classes resuming in the wake of the historic blizzard:
“Our public schools go beyond providing a designated place for kids to learn. They are critical to the health and wellness of nearly 900,000 children across our city. Whether it’s a warm meal, essential mental health support, or a source of child care for working parents,” Mayor Mamdani said.
“I understood their point of view. You know, there are a lot of families, this is their only access to daycare for childcare, but teachers get upset when they hear these things, cause we’re not babysitting service — we’re an educational institution,” said Michael Mulgrew of the United Federation of Teachers.
DSNY says it has added 100 additional pieces of outside equipment to help with snow removal efforts, as well as hundreds more personnel in Staten Island ahead of another round of winter weather headed our way.
Elsewhere in New York City, residents are coping with the latest snowfall.
“The sidewalks have been pretty good but my wife drives to work, and the street sweepers have been pushing the snow onto the cars … Yeah, it’s driving New Yorkers and me a little stir crazy, hopefully it ends soon,” one man in the Bronx told Eyewitness News:
“I know this is only every ten years, apparently, but yeah, it’s driving us crazy.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Blizzard of 2026 photos across NYC, Tri-State area
Support for Vulnerable New Yorkers
An enhanced Code Blue remains in effect through Wednesday morning, with shelters operating under an open door policy so that no one is turned away. Outreach workers have made more than 250 placements in shelters since Saturday. Residents who see someone in need are urged to call 311, which forwards Code Blue related calls to 911. LinkNYC kiosks can also be used to call 311 or find warming center locations.
Citywide Cleanup & Damage Response
The city received over 1,800 reports of fallen or damaged trees, and the interagency Downed Trees Task Force is actively responding. The mayor praised the NYPD Tow Truck Task Force, which removed 37 stuck vehicles, including seven MTA buses and 21 ambulances, ensuring emergency vehicles could reach those in need.
Staten Island: Hardest Hit
Mayor Mamdani noted that Staten Island experienced the highest snowfall totals, nearing 28 inches in some neighborhoods. In response, sanitation staffing on the island was increased by 210%, with additional equipment brought in to address snowdrifts and narrow, hilly roads. As a result, 99.2% of Staten Island roadways have now received at least one plow pass.
City Services & Transit Updates
Trash collection: Suspended today; resumes Wednesday at 6 p.m., with delays expected due to volume.
Recycling: Resumes next Monday.
Alternate side parking: Suspended through the end of the week.
Libraries and city buildings: Fully open
New Yorkers can look up the last time their street was plowed at nyc.gov/plownyc.
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