NYC Braces for Hurricane Jose

The New York City Emergency Management Department today urged New Yorkers to prepare for potential impacts of Hurricane Jose.

With Jose’s track moving about 75 – 100 miles to the southeast of Long Island, residents living in the city’s coastal neighborhoods could experience moderate levels of coastal flooding.

The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory along the shores of Brooklyn and southern Queens from 6 a.m. through 12 p.m. Tuesday.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is also in effect for Staten Island from 6 p.m. Tuesday through 12 p.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service has also issued a Coastal Flood Warning along the shores of Brooklyn and southern Queens from 6 p.m. Tuesday through 12 p.m. Wednesday.

During a Coastal Flood Warning, widespread moderate flooding is expected, resulting in beach erosion and flooding of vulnerable shore roads and/or properties. Coastal residents in the warned area should be alert for rising water and take appropriate action to protect life and property.

“We are closely monitoring Hurricane Jose and the potential impacts it may have to New York City,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “If you live in vulnerable coastal neighborhoods, take steps to protect your property. Prepare your Go Bags, charge your cell phone batteries, and don’t forget to check in on relatives, friends, and neighbors.”

Hurricane Jose is also expected to bring dangerous surf, strong rip currents, strong winds, and rain to the New York City area.

The National Weather Service has issued a Rip Current Statement for Brooklyn and southern Queens through 8 p.m. Tuesday. A High Surf Advisory is also in effect for Brooklyn and southern Queens through 6 p.m. Wednesday. A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area producing dangerous rip currents, widespread dune erosion, and localized washovers.

The City’s Flash Flood Emergency Plan has been activated to help mitigate potential flash flooding and ensure a quick, effective, and coordinated response to any flash flood events that do occur. Flash flooding can occur with little or no warning due to the large number of paved surfaces across the city. These surfaces do not allow rainwater to be absorbed into the ground and can result in storm drains often being overwhelmed, causing localized flooding.

New Yorkers are encouraged to report clogged catch basins and areas of standing water to 3-1-1 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115).

The Department of Buildings has issued an advisory for property owners, contractors and crane operators to take precautionary measures to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment in preparation for strong winds associated with Hurricane Jose. The department will perform random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the City and will issue violations and
Stop Work Orders, where necessary, if sites are not secured.

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NYC Emergency Management remains in constant communication with the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service to track and monitor Hurricane Jose and share storm updates with city, state, and private-sector partners. NYC Emergency Management encourages New Yorkers to take the following steps to prepare for potential rain, wind and coastal flooding effects ahead of the storm:

PREPARE AN EMERGENCY PLAN:

· Make a plan with your household that outlines what to do during an emergency, including a coastal storm. Use the Ready New York: My Emergency Plan to create your family’s emergency plan.
· If you have a disability or access or functional need, make sure your plan addresses how your needs may affect your ability to evacuate, shelter in place, or communicate with emergency workers. Arrange help from family, friends, or service providers if you will need assistance.
· Know your zone. Areas of the city subject to storm surge flooding are divided into six evacuation zones (1 through 6) based on risk of storm surge flooding. Use the Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder or call 3-1-1 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) to find out if your address is located in an evacuation zone.
· Prepare a Go Bag that you can grab in case you need to leave your home in a hurry. For more information about what to pack in a Go Bag, visit http://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/gather-supplies.page.
· Stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC to receive emergency notifications and updates via email, phone, SMS /text, or Twitter. Notify NYC messages are also available in American Sign Language (ASL). Visit www.nyc.gov/NotifyNYC or call 3-1-1 to sign up.

PREPARE FOR FLOODING

If you live in a flood-susceptible area:

· Keep sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber, on hand to help protect your home.
· Make an itemized list of personal property, including furnishings, clothing, and valuables.
· Move valuable items from basements to upper floors. (Basements are vulnerable to flooding.)
· Know your flood risk. To learn more about coastal flood risk in New York City, visit the FEMA Region II Coastal Analysis and Mapping website for flood hazard information at http://www.region2coastal.com/.
· Consider getting flood insurance. Protection against loss due to floods is not covered under a homeowner’s policy. Contact your property/casualty agent or broker about eligibility for flood insurance. For more information, visit the National Flood Insurance Program online at www.floodsmart.gov.
· Learn the safest route from your home or workplace to safe, high ground in case you have to evacuate. This should be part of your household disaster plan.

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES

· Build or restock your emergency supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
· Charge cell phones and any battery-powered devices.
· Turn your refrigerator and freezer to a colder setting. If you lose power, items that need refrigeration will stay cooler for longer.
· Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.

PREPARE FOR STRONG WINDS

Strong winds can bring down trees and power lines and can turn unsecured objects into dangerous projectiles. To protect against the hazard of strong winds, New Yorkers should:

· Check the area immediately surrounding your home for unsecured objects or potentially dangerous conditions. Tree limbs, garbage cans, yard debris, or other materials that can be moved by the wind are potential projectiles aimed at your home or parked vehicle.
· Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools and toys.
· Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
· Close up and secure patio umbrellas.
· Secure retractable awnings.
· Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.

STAY INFORMED

Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels including Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 3-1-1, visit www.nyc.gov/NotifyNYC, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.