NYC Emergency Management Advises New Yorkers to Prepare for Heavy Rains and Coastal Hazards

Emergency Management


Press Release


For Immediate Release
#34-23

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ADVISES NEW YORKERS TO PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL HEAVY RAINS AND COASTAL HAZARDS

September 22, 2023 — The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Saturday, September 23 through Sunday, September 24. According to the National Weather Service, New York City will experience a long-duration rainfall event this weekend. Steady light to moderate rain will begin Saturday morning and continue into Sunday night, with the bulk of the rainfall occurring between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. tomorrow. Lingering showers will be possible into Monday.

Overall rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are forecast. Widespread areas of low lying and poor drainage flooding will be possible during periods of heavy rainfall and isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled out. General thunderstorms with lightning are also possible Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday. Coastal hazards are also expected this weekend, with minor coastal flooding possible during several high tides Saturday afternoon into Sunday, a high risk of life-threatening rip currents, large breaking waves, and rough surf at Atlantic-facing beaches.

“While the warmer summer days are behind us, New Yorkers should take precautions regarding the forecast for high winds and rain during our first fall weekend,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “This weekend’s weather is also a reminder that we are still in the middle of Atlantic Hurricane season and it is a great time to review your preparedness plan for your home or business, especially if you live in flood-prone areas.”

NYC Emergency Management and its partners have activated the Flash Flood Plan and are working with the National Weather Service to monitor conditions. Crews from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation are inspecting and cleaning catch basins in neighborhoods and roads vulnerable to flooding. For access to timely and accurate updates, New Yorkers should sign up for the City’s emergency alert system Notify NYC and follow NYC Emergency Management on social media.

Safety Tips

• Allow for extra travel time. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation.
• If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.
• If you live in a basement apartment in a flood prone area, prepare to move to higher ground.
• Do not drive into flooded streets or enter flooded subway stations.
• 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.
• Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. Sign up for emergency notifications at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are also 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, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or download the free app for your Android or Apple device. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT: Press Office (718) 422-4888

STAY CONNECTED: Twitter: @NotifyNYC (emergency notifications)
@nycemergencymgt (emergency preparedness info)

Facebook: /NYCemergencymanagement