The N Y C Readiness Challenge highlights what could happen in the event of an emergency in New York City and steps you can take to prepare for a disaster.

Floor 7: Staying Informed

Yikes! What happened? The storm knocked the power out, and Louie is in the dark.

There are 3 items in the room that we could check to see if we can learn why the power is out.

  1. Check your cell phone for information.
  2. Check the TV for news.
  3. Check the internet for news.
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Mobile phone

Louie checks his mobile phone. Hooray! Text and email still work. Louie has alerts from Notify N Y C informing him about the storm.

Signing up for Notify N Y C, the City's emergency notification program, is one of the best tools Louie has to help him stay informed during an emergency.

Sign up via email or text
Sign up via Twitter.

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Television

The power is out. Louie cannot check the TV for news.

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Computer

The internet is down. Louie cannot check his computer for information.

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Using a phone to get alerts from Notify N Y C is the best way to keep Louie informed.

Learn more about Notify N Y C. or Continue to next floor

More Information: Stay Informed With Notify N Y C

How you receive information changes in a disaster.

Stay Informed With Notify N Y C

Notify N Y C is new york city’s official source for emergency information. Notify N Y C is free and allows subscribers to receive updates by email, text message, phone or Twitter about incidents including:

  1. Road closures
  2. Subway delays
  3. Fires
  4. Weather advisories
  5. Power outages
  6. Unscheduled parking rule suspensions
  7. Public school closures

You can even specify the ZiP codes that interest you most so you can stay informed about emergencies affecting your workplace, your home neighborhood, your child’s school, or a family member’s home.

Computer/Email/Television/Radio

if the power is out, it is unlikely your internet connection or Tv will work. Make sure to check your mobile device for emails or text messages, or turn on your battery-operated aM/FM radio for the latest news.

Sign up for Notify N Y C

  1. register online for Notify N Y C
  2. Follow on Twitter

Resources

FAQ about Notify N Y C Return to the main menu to choose another topic.

Floor 6: Contacting Loved Ones

Phone lines are jammed. Yabo's partner is working late and he has not heard from him.

How Can Yabo Contact his partner?

See which of the four items on this floor will help Yabo contact his partner.

  1. Try using your cellphone to send a text message or a Twitter message.
  2. Try calling your partner with your home phone.
  3. Check your reference card for emergency information.
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Mobile Phone

Yabo tries using his mobile phone.

Oh good! Alternative communications, such as text, Twitter, or other social media could be better options if local lines are congested.

Yabo has received a text from his partner letting him know he is okay.

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Land Line Phone

Yabo calls his partner but the number is busy.

Local lines will likely work following a disaster, but they might be congested. It is good to have an out-of-state contact that can relay messages.

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Emergency Reference Card

Yabo has written down important numbers in case the battery runs out on his mobile phone.

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Yabo was able to connect with his partner!

Learn more about communications during a disaster or Continue to next floor

More Information: Getting in Touch With Loved Ones

Local phone lines can be congested during a disaster, but alternative forms of communication may still be available.

Text or tweet

Alternative forms of communication are usually best as local phone lines may be jammed. Text, Twitter or email may be good ways to get a hold of your loved ones.

Out-of-State Contact

Designate an out-of-state contact that can relay information. Out-of-state calls are usually less jammed, and your out-of-state contact can focus on contacting loved ones.

Write Down Phone Numbers

If your mobile phone battery runs out or cell service is not working, you’ll want to have phone numbers written down.

Resources

  1. Emergency Reference Card
  2. Ready New York: My Emergency Plan + Hurricanes and New York City
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Floor 5: Emergency Supplies

Belinda is relieved because she has an Emergency Supply Kit and Go Bag prepared incase she must evacuate or remain at home.

See what items Belinda has prepared.

  1. Emergency Supply Kit
  2. Go Bag
  3. Portable Radio
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Emergency Supply Kit

Belinda is prepared in case she needs to remain at home for several days during an emergency. Belinda has the following items in her Emergency Supply Kit. Suggested items include:

  • One gallon of drinking water per person per day
  • Nonperishable, ready-to-eat canned foods and manual can opener
  • First-aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
  • Whistle
  • Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach
  • Personal hygiene items: soap, feminine hygiene products, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.
  • Phone that does not rely on electricity
  • Child care supplies or other special care items

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Go Bag

Belinda is prepared to leave with her Go Bag. Belinda has the following items in her Go Bag. Suggested items include:

  • Copies of your important documents in
    a waterproof and portable container.
  • Extra sets of car and house keys
  • Copies of credit and ATM cards and cash
  • Bottled water and nonperishable food
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-operated AM/FM radio
    and extra batteries
  • List of medications, or copies of all your prescription slips
  • First-aid kit
  • Lightweight rain-gear and Mylar blanket
  • Contact and meeting place information, and small regional map
  • Child care, pet, or other special items

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Portable Radio

Belinda’s battery-operated radio works! After hearing on the radio the storm has passed, Belinda is evacuating with her Go Bag.

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Belinda is evacuating with her Go Bag.

Learn more about making a Go Bag or Continue to next floor

More Information: Pack a Go Bag

Have enough supplies to last three days in case you need to leave your home following an emergency.

What is a Go Bag?

Every household member should assemble a Go Bag - a collection of items you can use in the event of an evacuation. Each Go Bag should be sturdy, lightweight and portable, such as a backpack. A Go Bag should be easily accessible and ready to go any time.

What goes in a Go Bag

What is an Emergency Supply Kit?

Keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own, or shelter in place, for at least three days. If possible, keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container or special cupboard. You should indicate to your household members that these supplies are for emergencies only. Check expiration dates of food and update your kits when you change your clock during daylight-saving times.

What goes in an Emergency Supply Kit

Suggested items include:

  1. One gallon of drinking water per person per day
  2. Nonperishable, ready-to-eat canned foods and manual can opener
  3. First-aid kit
  4. Flashlight
  5. Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
  6. Whistle
  7. Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach (for disinfecting water ONLY if directed to do so by health officials) and eyedropper (for adding bleach to water)
  8. Personal hygiene items: soap, feminine hygiene products, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.
  9. Phone that does not rely on electricity
  10. Child care supplies or other special care items

Resources

Ready New York: My Emergency Plan + Hurricanes and New York City Return to the main menu to choose another topic.

Floor 4: Preparing Your Family

Ella & Jonsie are home alone. Damage from the storm makes the apartment unsafe and they need to evacuate.

What do they need in order to leave safely?

Click the items on this floor to learn about key components of a family disaster plan.

  1. Emergency Plan / Meeting Place
  2. Individual Go Bags
  3. First-Aid Kit
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Emergency Plan / Meeting Place

Ella knows what to do because her mom prepared a family emergency plan and meeting place.

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Individual Go Bags

Ella & Jonsie grab their Go Bags and are ready to evacuate.

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First-Aid Kit

Ella & Jonsie know where to find the first-aid kit in case of an injury.

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With these items Ella & Jonsie are prepared to head to their family meeting place!

Learn more about preparing your family or Continue to next floor

More Information: Keeping Your Family Safe

Develop and practice a disaster plan with your household members to prepare for what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency.

Meeting Place

Decide where your household will reunite after a disaster. Identify two places to meet: one near your home and another outside your immediate neighborhood, such as a library, fire house, or a friend’s home.

Go Bag

Every household member should assemble a Go Bag — a collection of items you can use in the event of an evacuation. Each Go Bag should be sturdy, lightweight and portable, such as a backpack. A Go Bag should be easily accessible and ready to go any time.

Resources

Ready New York: My Emergency Plan + Hurricanes and New York City Let’s Get Ready, New York! (Kids Guide) Return to the main menu to choose another topic.

Floor 3: Keeping Your Animals Safe

Preparing for your pets is just as important as preparing for yourself. Click on the items in the apartment to learn about what your pets need.

Identify a trusted friend, neighbor, or dog-walker to care for your pet in your absence. This person should have a set of your house keys, be familiar with your home and pet, know your emergency plan, and have your contact information.

Spot and his friends' owner is out of town. A neighbor will come soon to gather important items left by their owner and help the animals get to safety. See what they need to leave safely.

  1. Pack a Go Bag
  2. Pet Care Taker
  3. Carrier and Leash
  4. Food and Water Containers
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Pack a Go Bag

Pack a Go Bag for the pets with essential items for their comfort, and safety and registration and vaccination records.

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Pet Care Taker

Identify a friend that knows how to care for your animals.

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Carrier and Leash

Keep a leash or pet carrier near your front door to keep frightened pets safe during transport.

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Food and Water Containers

Have enough food and water for your pets to last three days.

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Spot and his friends are ready to go safely with a neighbor.

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More Information: Keeping Your Animals Safe

Preparing for your pets is just as important as preparing for yourself.

Designate a Friend

Identify a trusted friend, neighbor, or dog-walker to care for your pet in your absence. This person should have a set of your house keys, be familiar with your home and pet, know your emergency plan, and have your contact information.

Pet Go Bag

Create a Go Bag for your pet or service animal. This list should include:

  1. A current color photograph of you and your pet together (in case you are separated)
  2. Copies of medical records that indicate dates of vaccinations and a list of medications your pet takes and why
  3. Proof of identification and ownership, including copies of registration information, adoption papers, proof of purchase, and microchip information
  4. Physical description of your pet, including his/her species, breed, age, sex, color, distinguishing traits, and any other vital information about characteristics and behavior

Carrier or Leash

Keep your pet’s collar/harness, leash, or carrier in a place where it can be easily found.

Food and Water

Have extra food and water stored in a portable container. If you use wet food, make sure you have pop-up cans or a can opener on hand. Rotate food and water items every six months to avoid expiration.

Pet Resources

Ready New York for Pets & Service Animals Return to the main menu to choose another topic.

Floor 2: Disabilities, Access & Functional Needs

Virgil is an older veteran and needs help evacuating. What does he need to leave safely?

  1. Copies of Prescriptions
  2. Support Network
  3. Go Bag for Those with Disabilities, Access & Functional Needs
  4. Food and Water Containers
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Copies of Prescriptions

Keep copies of prescriptions and medical information in case you need refills following an emergency.

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Support Network

Identify at least two people who can be part of your support network if you may need assistance in an emergency. Louis and Belinda are prepared to help Virgil evacuate.

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Go Bag Considerations

Include extra items like medical information, batteries for hearing aids, motorized wheelchairs, and medical equipment in your Go Bag.

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Virgil is being safely evacuated.

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More Information: Disabilities, Access & Functional Needs

If you have a disability, or access and functional needs, it is important to have a support network to help you in an emergency.

Emergency Support Network

Ask at least two people to be in your network—family members, friends, neighbors, caregivers, coworkers, or members of community groups.

Your emergency support network should:

  1. Stay in contact during an emergency
  2. Keep spare sets of your keys
  3. Know where to find your emergency supplies.
  4. Know how to operate your equipment or help move you in an emergency.

Go Bag (with special items)

In addition to the standard Go Bag items, you may need these special care items:

  1. Aerosol tire repair kits and/or tire inflator to repair flat wheelchair or scooter tires
  2. Back-up medical equipment (e.g., glasses, batteries)
  3. Contact information for your household and members of your support network
  4. Notepad and pen

Medical Information/Prescriptions

If you take medications, make sure to bring them with you. Have extra copies of your prescriptions in case you need refills.

Sign Up for Notify N Y C

Register online for Notify N Y C Follow on Twitter

Resources

Ready New York: My Emergency Plan | Return to the main menu to choose another topic.

Floor 1: We Made It!

New Yorkers made it safely through the storm because everyone stayed informed through Notify N Y C and were properly prepared.

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