NYCEM Issues Travel Advisory For Winter Storm

Emergency Management


Press Release


#02-24

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR WINTER STORM

Heavy Rain, Strong to Damaging Winds, and Moderate Coastal Flooding Expected Across NYC

January 8, 2024 – The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a Travel Advisory for the evening of Tuesday, January 9 into Wednesday morning, January 10, 2024, as a strong storm impacts the region. Several National Weather Service products have been issued for this storm.

A Flood Watch is in effect citywide from 6:00 p.m. tomorrow to 12:00 p.m. Wednesday. Rain may start off light tomorrow afternoon with heavy rain developing in the evening and continuing through early Wednesday morning. The heaviest rainfall is expected between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., with spotty showers possible through about noon. Thunderstorms and lightning will also be possible overnight. The forecast calls for citywide rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches at rates around 0.5 inch/hour, with locally higher amounts and rates possible. A rising high tide tomorrow evening in New York Harbor and Jamaica Bay may coincide with the onset of heavy rain, resulting in compound flooding along vulnerable roadways near the shoreline, which may result in travel disruptions for the evening commute. Additional impacts include widespread minor flooding and localized flash flooding of roadways and properties overnight, with residual flooding possible during the Wednesday morning commute. Areas adjacent to the Bronx River may see significant flooding overnight and Wednesday morning due to snowmelt and heavy rain occurring upstream.

A High Wind Warning is in effect for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island from 6:00 p.m. tomorrow to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday. A Wind Advisory is also in effect for the same time for the Bronx and Manhattan. In Warning areas, southeast winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected, highest along the southern coast. In Advisory areas, winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 50 mph are forecast. The period of strongest winds will be from about 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Potential impacts include scattered to widespread downed trees and limbs, power outages, damage to unsecured items, and difficult travel.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for southern Queens from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. A Coastal Flood Advisory is also in effect for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Wednesday. Widespread minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected, with up to 2 to 3 feet of inundation possible along shorelines in Warning areas, and 1 to 2 feet of inundation possible in Advisory areas. This may result in widespread flooding of roadways, properties, basements and first floor structures, numerous road closures, and flood-damaged vehicles, especially for southern Queens and Jamaica Bay on Wednesday morning. The tide will peak around 7:00 a.m. Wednesday in New York Harbor and Jamaica Bay, and around 10:00 a.m. in the Long Island Sound. Large breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet and high surf are also likely at Atlantic-facing beaches, resulting in significant dune erosion and overwash.

“More inclement weather is expected to hit New York City tomorrow night, bringing with it heavy rains, strong winds, and the potential for flooding,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our city government is prepared to respond to whatever comes our way, but residents should also take the necessary precautions to stay safe and protect their belongings. I encourage all New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC to get the latest information and closely monitor the forecast as this storm approaches.”

“As New York City prepares for a potent mix of heavy rain, potential flooding, and strong winds from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, our dedicated teams are fully mobilized and working in close coordination with the National Weather Service, city and state agency partners, and local utility companies to ensure a robust and effective response,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “Given that multiple warnings and advisories have been issued citywide, including the potential for significant coastal flooding in southern Queens, I urge all New Yorkers to take this storm seriously, stay updated through Notify NYC, and take necessary precautions.”

New York City Emergency Management, in response to the forecasted weather, has activated the city's Flash Flood Emergency Plan, and coordinated calls with the National Weather Service, partner agencies, as well as utility companies to ensure a unified and coordinated response.

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) crews have been checking flood-prone locations to ensure the functionality of catch basins and drainage infrastructure. DEP is also prepared to manage stormwater with cleaned and inspected Bluebelts and monitor flooding on arterial highways.

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is prepared to monitor road conditions at its Traffic Management Center and coordinate with sister agencies for flood conditions, while also assisting in clearing catch basins to prevent roadway flooding. All empty tractor-trailers and tandem trailers will be prohibited on MTA bridges due to expected high winds.

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) maintains 111 water-trained rescue units, equipped for various water rescues, and 143 ladder companies with chainsaws for potential wind and tree events. FDNY's Special Operations Command is prepared with high-axel vehicles for high water navigation and additional chainsaw-equipped units.

The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) urges builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their sites. Random inspections will be conducted, with immediate enforcement action taken if necessary.

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will be checking and servicing hundreds of catch basins citywide, with equipment ready to assist in tree-related incidents, especially if the Downed Tree Taskforce is activated. There are currently no anticipated delays in trash/recycling collection. Residents may put material out at the curb following their normal schedule.

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation is on alert to monitor tree conditions, ready to activate the Downed Tree Task Force if necessary.

These efforts across multiple city departments reflect a unified and proactive approach to ensuring safety and minimizing the impact of severe weather conditions.

NYC Emergency Management strongly encourages all New Yorkers to take proactive steps to ensure their own safety and support the city’s resilience:

· Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the city will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notif NYC. Sign up for emergency notifications online or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

· Allow for extra travel time. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation whenever possible. Expect delays with little to no notice. If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. Turn around, don't drown. Do not drive into flooded streets or enter flooded subway stations.

· If it is safe to do so, clear debris from catch basins to prevent street flooding. Be sure to wear gloves & watch out for traffic. You can also report a clogged catch basin by calling 311.

· 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.

· If you live in a basement apartment, or in a low-lying, flood-prone, or poor drainage area, be prepared to move to higher ground or leave your apartment should conditions worsen.

· New Yorkers should report tree conditions including downed trees and limbs to 311; in cases of true emergency, call 911.

· To report power outages, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call your power provider immediately to report the outage. Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 800-75-CONED (752-6633) (TTY: 800-642-2308). You can also report an outage online on Con Edison's website. National Grid’s 24-hour hotline is 718-643-4050 (TTY: 718-237-2857). PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour hotline is 800-490-0025 (TTY: 631-755-6660)

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the city’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. Notify NYC is available in 14 languages, including American Sign Language. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, New Yorkers can visit the Notify NYC website, call 311, or download the free Notify NYC app for your Android or Apple device. You can now text to 692-692, using the code NOTIFYNYC, NOTIFYNYCESP (Spanish), and NOTIFYFRE (French) to be instantly enrolled to receive the highest priority, verified alerts across all the five boroughs.

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