Queens Snow Removal: What You Need to Know for the Upcoming Winter
Forecast Predicts 5-7 Inches of Snow
City officials recently shared winter preparedness plans at a meeting in Borough President Donovan Richards' office. Antonio Whitaker, assistant director of the Bureau of Community Affairs at the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY), outlined the borough's snow removal strategy for the 2026 fiscal year.
Winter Preparedness Efforts
The DSNY has been working year-round to ensure the city is ready for winter weather. Key initiatives include:
- Monitoring Weather Forecasts: The department tracks predictions from three services.
- Increased Plows: A 15% increase in plows since 2022, with over 2,000 vehicles equipped for snow removal.
- New Equipment: The transportation department is investing in tools to clear bike lanes more efficiently.
Snow Removal Process
Before a storm, sanitation vehicles are prepped with brine, a salty water solution that prevents snow from sticking to the ground. However, brine is ineffective if a storm starts as rain and turns to snow.
The DSNY's snow response levels are categorized by snow accumulation, with different levels of equipment and personnel deployed based on the amount of snow.
After a storm, sanitation workers clear city infrastructure, including roads and pedestrian pathways. They use:
- Front-end loaders to remove large piles of snow.
- Skid steers to mechanize the shoveling process.
Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their properties to avoid fines. The DSNY has issued over 14,000 summonses for failure to clear snow and ice.
Concerns Raised
Some attendees at the meeting raised concerns about seniors or disabled persons who are incapable of shoveling snow. Whitaker noted there is currently no formal process in place to address those circumstances, but he would relay any concerns to the rest of the sanitation department.
