Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Appears Live on WCBS 880

January 23, 2017

Pat Farnack: High winds and heavy rains are expected to lash New York City starting this afternoon. Joining us live on the news line – a very punctual Mayor de Blasio, ahead of the storm. Thanks for joining us.

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Well thank you, Pat. I appreciate it.

[Laughter]

Farnack: We do too. Well, Mayor, what steps has the City taken already?

Mayor: Well look Pat, we think there's going to be a serious situation this evening. And that's why I want to make sure all New Yorkers know we're talking about heavy winds – could be as high, in some areas, as 60 miles an hour – gusts of up to 60 miles an hour. Rain at two to three inches, and that could come on real fast. We're particularly concerned about coastal flooding in low-lying areas. So, what we're doing right now is getting the word out to people all over the city, getting City agencies in position to address flooding and things like fallen trees, power lines, et cetera.

Department of Buildings has already sent an order out – we're going to get cranes and construction sites secured as the afternoon goes on. And our agencies are out clearing catch basins because we're concerned about flooding – particularly, again, low-lying areas. We want to get those catch basins freed up, so they can handle all the water going through.

I really want people, Pat, to know – take this one seriously. Make sure – in the evening rush-hour, expect a lot of rain, a lot of wind. Make – take precautions for that. And just in terms of people's homes, make sure there's not loose materials out in your yards that could fly away in the wind or create damage. And of course, check in on your neighbors. If you think there's any neighbor who's having trouble or may need help, I really ask all New Yorkers to look out for your neighbors.

Farnack: Have you spoken, Mayor, with Con Edison today?

Mayor: I have not, but we are in constant touch with them. Our Office of Emergency Management, our Commissioner Joe Esposito, are working constantly with Con Ed and all the energy companies to make sure we're well-coordinated.

And again, those gusts cause us real concern because that's the kind of situation where you could see some downed power lines and some other things that might disrupt the energy supply. So we'll be working very, very closely with them.

Farnack: Not everybody can, of course – but getting out of Dodge early sounds like a pretty good idea with the storm.

Mayor: Absolutely, Pat. I would say if folks are thinking of working late and have to drive home, it's probably not the best night to do that. Try and get out earlier if you can. Drive carefully. Don't rush because it's going to be tough conditions tonight. But definitely want people to take this one seriously.

Farnack: Flooding and erosion are probably going to be a problem with this storm in the same places that were hit hard by Sandy. Do you know anything it's being done with that?

Mayor: Well, we're particularly concerned about Staten Island in this particular storm. The way we see the storm developing we think Staten Island is going to get some of the worst flooding. Look, we are paying special attention there on the immediate things we can do like clearing the catch basins to try and minimize the flooding.

Overall, Staten Island is one of the focal points for our resiliency efforts that will help going forward to address storms. You know, the City is involved in a $20 billion plan as a result of Sandy to strengthen resiliency around a lot of our coastal areas, particularly the areas that were hit hard in Sandy – a lot of parts on Staten Island, Coney Island, the Rockaways. Some of the areas that suffered before we want to protect better, going forward, and that's where the resiliency dollars are going. That's all going to be continued over these coming years but in the here and now we want to make sure people are taking every precaution particularly in Staten Island today because again this is going to be a fast intense storm.

Farnack: What about flooding in the subways? Have we addressed that with this storm?

Mayor: You know, Pat, at this moment from what I'm seeing it doesn't rise to that level, thank God. You know, we've worked with the MTA – of course the MTA is controlled by the State of New York. But the MTA has done good work post Sandy to reduce the dangers to the subways and we're going to work very closely with them. From what I'm seeing on this storm, that's not the threat we're facing right now.

Farnack: Anything else, Mayor, that you want to tell the people now that you're on our news line?

Mayor: You know, Pat, it's just about – don't overdo it. This is the same thing I always say whether it's a heat wave or whether it is a Nor'easter like this. Don't assume you can do more than you can do. You know, don't stay outside longer than you need to. Take precautions, look out for your neighbors – just take it seriously.

I think sometimes we all get into to the habit of saying, oh, it's not such a big deal but again when you talk about wind gusts up to 60 miles an hour – take it seriously and obviously be careful around flooding. As we know, you know, flooding can come on really quickly. Don't challenge an area that's flooded. Stay back from it the maximum extent as possible so no one is in danger.

Farnack: Alright, ahead of the storm which is supposed to hit later on this afternoon – thanks for joining us Mayor de Blasio.

Mayor: Thank you so much, Pat.