NYCEM Issues Travel Advisory for Tuesday and Wednesday for Heavy Rainfall and Potential Flash Flooding

Emergency Management


Press Release


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NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY 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

A second heavy rainfall is also possible later this week as the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby move into the region

August 5, 2024 – The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a Travel Advisory for Tuesday, August 6 into Wednesday, August 7. The National Weather Service has issued a citywide Flood Watch in effect from 2:00 p.m. tomorrow Tuesday to 12:00 p.m. Wednesday. According to the latest forecast, a frontal boundary will move through the metro area beginning tomorrow and will stall in the region into Wednesday. A few isolated showers and thunderstorms may produce briefly heavy rainfall and minor flooding as early as tomorrow morning with storms increasing in coverage by the afternoon. More widespread showers and thunderstorms may develop over the city overnight into Wednesday morning, with the potential for continued storm activity during the day Wednesday. As of right now, the worst of the impacts are anticipated tomorrow evening and overnight into early Wednesday morning.

“New Yorkers should prepare in advance of the storms and take the necessary precautions to remain safe,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “While we expect some disruptions from this weather, all relevant city agencies have been activated and are prepared to handle whatever comes our way. New Yorkers, do your part: stay informed, stay alert, and, if you can, stay put during the worst of it. Sign up for Notify NYC and listen to the experts. New Yorkers are resilient, resourceful, and we look out for each other. That's what will get us through this storm and any others that come our way.”

“New York City is bracing for heavy rain and possible flash flooding tomorrow into Wednesday," said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “New Yorkers should prepare for potential weather impacts that could disrupt travel, especially during the commute. We have activated a comprehensive response plan with our city agencies and utility partners to ensure the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers. I urge everyone to stay informed about changing weather conditions and potential travel delays through Notify NYC. Please also take a moment to check on your loved ones, particularly those who might need extra assistance during this time.”

The magnitude and location of heavy rain and flooding remains uncertain. Currently, the NWS predicts the heaviest rain to occur to the southwest of the city. The latest forecast calls for 1 to 2 inches of rain with locally higher amounts possible. Increased amounts will be possible if the boundary stalls directly over the city.

In terms of impacts, flash flooding of roadways and properties may occur quickly, particularly in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Underground infrastructure, including basements, may also experience flooding. While much of the flooding is expected to be localized, more extensive flooding will be possible depending on where the boundary stalls. Travel delays and disruptions will also be possible during both the evening commute tomorrow and again Wednesday morning. In addition, there’s a low chance for severe thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon and evening producing sudden strong to damaging wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph, which may blow down trees and cause localized power outages.

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.

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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