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|  HISTORY In 2000, New York City released its first citywide plan for hurricanes. Due to New York City’s changing population, OEM regularly updates the City’s plan for hurricane preparedness. 2006 PLAN New York is among the country’s most susceptible cities to hurricane hazards. Although cities like New Orleans and Houston experience hurricanes more often, New York City’s geography makes its population especially vulnerable to wind and flooding.Each of the five boroughs has a coastline, and much of the city is very
densely populated. In addition, a geographic phenomenon called the “New
York Bight” will magnify a hurricane’s effects on the land. The New York
Bight occurs because the New York and New Jersey coastlines meet at a right
angle. From this junction, the New York Bight will guide a storm surge
directly into New York City, amplifying flooding and related damage. To make a comprehensive Coastal Storm Plan, emergency managers must consider proximity to water, population needs and the New York Bight, among other factors. After years of analysis, OEM and other local, state, and federal agencies, have created a coastal storm plan to protect the inhabitants of New York City from the devastation of a coastal storm. The plan includes strategies for storm tracking, public information, evacuation procedures, people with special needs, recovery, and restoration. All of these pieces work to help New Yorkers move out of harm’s way, get shelter if needed, and return to their daily lives as quickly as possible. If National Weather Service forecasts call for a storm to make landfall in the New York City area, OEM may recommend the Mayor:
Depending on the size, speed, and intensity of the hurricane and potential storm surge, the City has designated three areas that may be evacuated: Zones A, B, and C. Residents can find out if they live in a zone with the Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder. Post-Disaster Housing Competition In October the fall of 2007, OEM sponsored a design competition to encourage the development of innovative solutions to provisional housing in New York City. Because of New York City's dense infrastructure and diverse population, the traditional post-disaster housing method - mobile homes - would not be effective in the city. The competition, What If NYC..., is part of the effort to plan for hurricane recovery. |  |
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