On July 12, 2011, OEM hosted Eyeing the Storm, a pre-season coastal storm planning workshop aimed at increasing citywide preparedness for a hurricane.

After an introductory session and keynote address by retired U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral and former FEMA Deputy Administrator Harvey E. Johnson, the workshop was divided into two tracks.

The Executive Working Group, which included executive-level representatives from member agencies of the Coastal Storm Steering Committee, were challenged to decide whether to recommend the mayor order a mass evacuation in light of Hurricane Julia, a hypothetical Category 3 storm projected to impact the New York City area in 84 hours.

Nine Emergency Support Function working groups considered challenges and agency responsibilities related to coastal storm evacuation and sheltering. Using the Hurricane Julia scenario, groups identified and discussed their immediate actions, planned actions, resource needs, and issues or decisions in need of resolution that might arise.

“Eyeing the Storm’s intent is to get us all ‘leaning forward’ if a hurricane threatens New York City,” said OEM Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno, addressing the workshop participants. “Leaning forward means understanding the impact of such a storm on the metro area, understanding the extent of the response, and recognizing the need for agencies to maintain essential services. In other words, we’ll be ‘all in’ if a major storm threatens the city.”

More than 50 government agencies and private organizations attended the workshop.