NYCEM Issues Travel Advisory For Friday For Heavy Rainfall and Potential Flash Flooding

Emergency Management


Press Release


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NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY FOR HEAVY RAINFALL AND POTENTIAL FLASH FLOODING

NYCEM ACTIVATES CITY'S FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY PLAN AND PLACES CITY'S RESPONSE AGENCIES AND CREWS ON ALERT

The Bronx, Northern Manhattan and Northern Queens May be the Most Vulnerable to Flooding

New Yorkers Should Expect Travel Delays and Disruptions on the Friday Afternoon and Evening Commute

Life Threatening Rip Currents are Likely for Surf Zones

August 8, 2024 – The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a Travel Advisory for Friday, August 9. According to the latest National Weather Service forecast, more widespread heavy rainfall and potential severe thunderstorms are anticipated tomorrow afternoon and evening as Post-tropical Depression Debby merges with a frontal complex over the region and makes its closest approach to NYC. Although not expected to be as severe as the flooding NYC experienced previously this week, storms tomorrow may cause widespread minor flooding across the city, along with localized instances of flash flooding, that may result in disruptions to travel and transportation, particularly during the evening commute. Areas with heavily saturated grounds in the Bronx, northern Manhattan, and northern Queens may be the most vulnerable to flooding. Peak rainfall rates between 1 and 2 inches an hour will be possible.

For today, Thursday, August 8, scattered showers are possible today, with isolated thunderstorms and brief heavy downpours possible after midnight through tomorrow morning. Minor nuisance flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas will be possible during this time.

“New Yorkers are tough and resilient, and we will get through this weather by being prepared and heeding the travel advisory,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “That means being informed by subscribing to Notify NYC, having supplies ready, checking in on your neighbors, and having a plan to leave your basement apartment if it starts flooding. Our city agencies are activated and ready to respond to impacts but we need you to do your part. It’s important to stay informed, keep streets and roads clear, and look out for one another.”

“As Tropical Storm Debby accelerates to the west of us and threatens the area with heavy rain and potential flash flooding, we are once again mobilizing all resources to ensure the safety and well-being of every New Yorker,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “While our city successfully navigated the rainfall event earlier this week, we must remain vigilant and prepared a second time. I urge all New Yorkers to take the travel advisory seriously, particularly during the afternoon and evening commute, as travel may be significantly impacted. Stay informed about warnings, changing conditions and potential travel delays through Notify NYC, and please check on loved ones who may need extra support.”

On Friday, localized severe thunderstorms producing sudden damaging wind gusts of 60 mph or greater and tornadoes will also be possible. Outside of thunderstorms, winds will be increasingly breezy tomorrow, particularly along the coast, where gusts of up to 45 mph are possible in the afternoon and evening. Both of these wind threats may cause downed trees, tree limbs, and localized power outages. While the bulk of any impacts are expected tomorrow afternoon into tomorrow night, lingering showers and residual minor flooding will be possible through early Saturday morning with dry conditions anticipated by mid-morning. The National Weather Service issued a Rip Current Statement for Friday, stating “Life-threatening rip currents are likely for all people entering the surf zone. Anyone visiting the beaches should stay out of the surf. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.”

New Yorkers are strongly urged to subscribe to emergency weather alerts on Notify NYC, which amplifies all National Weather Service advisories, watches and warnings in 14 languages including American Sign Language, and to stay informed about weather conditions from trusted sources. NYCEM encourages New Yorkers in the next few days to exercise caution when traveling, expect travel delays, and to remain off the roads during and after active weather to allow crews to operate and respond to weather conditions.

In preparation for the forecasted weather conditions, NYC Emergency Management has activated the City's Flash Flood Emergency Plan. This proactive measure includes enhanced coordination with the National Weather Service, city and state agencies, utility providers, and private sector partners. Coordinated interagency calls are being organized to brief partners on emerging risks, review operational plans for potential severe weather, and to prepare them for possible escalation in their own response measures. Specialized emergency assets and response teams are on standby, ready for rapid deployment as conditions warrant.

The City's Emergency Operations Center, already active due to the ongoing asylum seeker humanitarian crisis, has enhanced its posture to address the potential weather hazards. Crews from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation are actively inspecting and clearing catch basins in flood-prone areas. Additionally, NYC Emergency Management's 24/7 Watch Command continues to track the progress and development of any further systems forming in the Atlantic basin on a 24/7 basis.

NYCEM strongly advises all residents, particularly those in flood-prone areas and basement apartments, to take immediate steps to prepare for the approaching storm and future weather event, starting with prioritizing their safety by staying alert and informed by monitoring the latest forecasts and updates from NYC Emergency Management, create a plan to ensure safety during a storm, and prepare a Go Bag with essential supplies like food, water, first aid, and other necessities. For the first time, NYC Emergency Management has launched a WhatsApp channel as part of its multiplatform approach to public messaging and warning, accessible through on.nyc.gov/nycemwhatsapp.

NYC Emergency Management issued the following guidance to help New Yorkers and their family stay safe, regardless of the storm's ultimate course:

Allow for extra travel time and expect delays with little to no notice. Use public transportation whenever possible.

Do not walk, bike, or drive into flooded streets or enter flooded subway stations.

If you live in a basement or below-grade apartment, be aware that you may be vulnerable to flooding. Follow city guidance for additional actions aimed at below-grade dwellings: before or during heavy rain, remove debris from catch basins in your area to allow the water to enter, and pick up the leaves from your yard to keep them from clogging streets and catch basins. Prepare to move to higher ground if flooding begins, even if it's raining.

Ahead of the weather, property owners and managers should clean their property, including roofs, crawlspaces, vents, decks/patios, and gutters. Dispose of any debris that could become dangerous projectiles during a storm.

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 require assistance for daily activities, make arrangements in advance for support during the expected weather, ensuring caregivers are aware of and prepared for the weather conditions.

Charge your phones and keep a flashlight and batteries handy. If you lose power and have a disability and/or use life-sustaining equipment and need immediate assistance, call 911.

Always have an emergency kit in your car. It should include items like blankets, a flashlight, water, snacks, a first aid kit, and a snow shovel.

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/WeatherUpdates. 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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