NYC Emergency Management Issues Travel Advisory for Friday, September 29 Through Saturday, September 30

Emergency Management


Press Release


For Immediate Release
#35-23

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 30

A Flood Watch is in effect citywide from 2 a.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday

Flash flooding from excessive rain is possible

September 28, 2023 — The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a travel advisory for Friday, September 29 through Saturday morning, September 30. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for New York City beginning at 2 a.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday. According to the latest National Weather Service forecast, heavy rain is expected citywide beginning as early as 2 a.m. Friday through tomorrow night. Citywide average rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are forecast, with locally higher amounts in excess of 5 inches possible. Persistent heavy rainfall may result in numerous flash floods. The excessive rain runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Potential street flooding may also occur. Widespread travel impacts are possible, particularly during the morning commute tomorrow. There are no significant winds hazards or thunderstorms expected.

“New York City will be under a flood watch starting tomorrow and we urge New Yorkers to prepare for heavy rain and potential flooding throughout Friday and Saturday morning,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “All New Yorkers need to exercise caution. If you must travel, consider using public transportation and allow for extra travel time, and if you must drive, do not enter flooded roadways. If you live in a basement apartment, especially in a flood prone area, be prepared to move to higher ground.”

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.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Press Office (718) 422-4888

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