New Yorkers Strongly Urged to Take Safety Measures In Preparation for Flash Flooding

Emergency Management


Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 6, 2023

CONTACT: pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov, (212) 788-2958

NYC WEATHER ALERT: NEW YORKERS STRONGLY URGED TO TAKE SAFETY MEASURES IN PREPARATION FOR PERIODS OF HEAVY RAINFALL, FLASH FLOODING TONIGHT AND TOMORROW

Periods of Moderate to Heavy Rain May Produce Locally Significant Impacts on Travel, Transportation, and Infrastructure Late Friday Night into Saturday

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) Commissioner Zach Iscol today advised New Yorkers to take safety measures in anticipation of heavy rainfall and flash flooding, beginning late Friday night and continuing into Saturday.

“New York City does not wait for a storm to prepare — we are already several steps ahead,” said Mayor Adams. “Our emergency management teams, first responders, and key city agencies are fully activated and tightly coordinated to face the coming rains head-on. I urge every New Yorker — especially those in areas more susceptible to flooding — to stay alert by signing up for Notify NYC now.”

“We have activated the Flash Flood Emergency Plan in anticipation of heavy rainfall as we head into the weekend,” said NYCEM Commissioner Iscol. “Our primary concern is a six-hour period of moderate to heavy rain late Friday night through early Saturday afternoon. While widespread, major impacts are not expected, I want to stress the vital need for all New Yorkers, especially those in low-lying and flood-prone areas, including below-grade living spaces, to take precautions, sign up for emergency notifications via Notify NYC, pay attention to changes in the forecast, and heed official guidance to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe.”

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch citywide, effective Saturday from 2:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast to begin late Friday night through Saturday afternoon, with a few inches of rain expected over a roughly six-hour period. Locally, upwards of four inches of rainfall is possible.

Where the heaviest rainfall rates develop, flooding could be locally significant — causing disruption to transportation; flooding of basements, first-floor residences and businesses, and underground infrastructure; and posing an elevated threat to life. Low-lying, poor drainage and frequent flood locations may be especially vulnerable. Widespread, major impacts are not expected.

Lingering showers may continue into early Saturday evening, with dry conditions expected by Saturday night. Breezy winds develop Saturday afternoon, with a few gusts likely Sunday. Temperatures will cool into the upper 40s by Monday morning.

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 a place higher than the flood waters if experiencing rising waters and/or if you receive a warning from Notify NYC or the National Weather Service.

Do not drive into flooded streets or enter flooded subway stations.

Six inches of moving water can knock over an adult. Avoid stepping in floodwater if you see it.

Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults as well as 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 on the Notify NYC website at gov/NotifyNYC or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on social media.

New Yorkers should follow the National Weather Service forecast and guidance listed in watches, warnings, and advisories on the National Weather Service website.

New York City Emergency Management, in coordination with partners and other city agencies, has activated the comprehensive Flash Flood Emergency Plan and is actively collaborating with the National Weather Service to monitor conditions. As part of this proactive approach, crews from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, New York City Department of Sanitation, and New York City Department of Transportation are already on the ground, inspecting and clearing catch basins in neighborhoods and thoroughfares that are particularly susceptible to flooding. Multiple city agencies have been convened on a Flash Flood Emergency Plan Steering Committee as integral components and are not only preparing in advance but also poised to respond swiftly and effectively to emergent situations.

Additional safety tips are available online at 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 Notify NYC app for your Android or Apple device. You can also follow @NotifyNYC or @nycemergencymgt on social media.

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