September 28, 2026

#40-26

REPORT DAMAGE FROM THIS WEEKEND'S NOR'EASTER

New Yorkers Encouraged to Submit Damage Reports at reportdamage.nyc.gov and File 311 Service Requests

NEW YORK — New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) is urging New Yorkers affected by this weekend's nor'easter to submit a damage report and file a 311 service request. Together, these reports help the City understand the full scope of the storm's impact and may support a request for federal disaster assistance. From Friday, September 25, through Sunday, September 27, the storm brought prolonged strong winds ranging from 28 to 55 miles per hour; rain totals ranging from 2.5 to 3.8 inches across the city over three days; and coastal flooding over multiple high tides, with the most severe flooding in the Rockaways, City Island, and Howard Beach. Water levels at high tide during the weekend nor’easter to rose to 8.95 feet in Jamaica Bay, 8.31 feet at the Battery and 11.8 feet at Little Neck Bay. 

“Damage reports show us what a storm left behind, block by block," said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell. "A damage report and a 311 service request both help us help New Yorkers, so please fill out both forms.”

By submitting a damage report, filing a service request, and documenting conditions carefully, New Yorkers can help ensure a coordinated recovery and support the strongest possible case for additional assistance.

City agencies are working with state partners to assess the damage. The information collected through damage reports may help support a request for targeted federal assistance, such as Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans. If approved, SBA assistance can provide low-interest loans to help homeowners, renters, businesses, and certain nonprofits recover from physical damage or economic losses. SBA assistance depends on the scope and concentration of reported damage.

Report Damage to NYC's Damage Reporting Portal

New York City property owners, tenants, business owners, and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to visit reportdamage.nyc.gov to submit a damage report. This voluntary form helps the City understand where damage occurred, the severity, and may help determine whether to pursue SBA disaster assistance for affected neighborhoods, or, if the event meets the required thresholds, a federal disaster declaration that could provide Individual Assistance or other forms of federal support. Available assistance will depend on the severity of the event and the damage reported, and no program is guaranteed. Submitting a damage report does not replace an insurance claim and does not guarantee financial help. It is used only for assessment and planning.

Request Service from 311

New Yorkers should also file a 311 service request for conditions that need a City response, including fallen trees and hanging limbs, basement flooding, sewer backups, street flooding, blocked catch basins, structural concerns, and power outages. Requests can be submitted at nyc.gov/311, by calling 311, or by using TTY at 212-504-4115 or Video Relay Service at 212-639-9675. If a downed power line or a fallen tree poses an immediate danger to life or property, call 911.

After High Winds

Treat every downed power line as live and dangerous. Do not approach, touch, or drive over it, and stay away from anything it is touching, such as puddles, fences, cars, and tree branches. Call 911 if a downed line is near people or poses an immediate danger, and report it to your power company.

Do not walk under or near trees that have partially fallen or have large hanging branches, since they can come down without warning. Call 311 to report a fallen tree or branch on a street, sidewalk, or in a park, and call 911 if a tree has fallen on a person, an occupied vehicle, or a building. Unsecured items such as signs, scaffolding materials, and construction debris can still be unstable after a storm, New Yorkers are encouraged to call 311 to report hazards on public property. Watch where you walk for broken glass and loose debris. If you smell gas, hear hissing, or see a broken gas line, leave immediately and call 911 from a safe location.

After Flooding

Stay out of flooded basements, where standing water near electrical equipment is life-threatening. Do not turn on lights or appliances in a flooded space until a qualified professional says it is safe. Avoid walking or driving through standing water, which can hide open drains, downed power lines, and debris. Floodwater can carry sewage and other contaminants, so wash your hands and any exposed skin with soap and water if you touched it, and throw away any food, including canned goods, that came into contact with floodwater.

Before you clean up, take photos and videos of all damage for insurance claims and assistance applications. Wear gloves and protective gear, and keep children and pets away from contaminated areas. Disinfect surfaces with a diluted bleach solution in a well-ventilated space, and never mix bleach with ammonia. Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours.

Dry what you can, remove wet materials that cannot be dried, and contact 311 if you need help with mold or cleanup. If you need to pump out a flooded basement, remove about one-third of the water per day, since pumping too quickly can crack or collapse walls when the surrounding soil is saturated. If your building sustained serious damage, consult a New York State-licensed engineer or architect before reoccupying it. For more guidance, visit nyc.gov/floodhelp.

After a Power Outage

Report outages to your power company, and do not assume they already know that your power is out. Con Edison serves most of the city, and PSEG Long Island serves the Rockaways. If you rent, also report building problems such as elevator outages or no lights in shared areas to your building management or super, and do not try to fix electrical systems yourself. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Do not use generators indoors. Do not plug a generator into a wall outlet, which can send electricity back into power lines and endanger utility workers. When power returns, turn appliances on slowly and check that your food, medicine, and medical equipment are still safe to use.

Recovering and Getting Help

File insurance claims as soon as possible, since deadlines can be strict. Use only licensed contractors, since some repairs require Department of Buildings permits, and follow Department of Sanitation rules for disposing of storm debris. If you were displaced from your home, the City's Back Home Guide at on.nyc.gov/backhomeguide can help you find resources and next steps. Check on older adults, people with disabilities, and neighbors in basement apartments or low-lying homes who may need extra help.

If you believe a City action or condition caused damage to you or your property, you may file a notice of claim with the NYC Comptroller's Office. Claims must be filed within 90 days of the incident and are reviewed individually. The City is generally not responsible for damage caused by natural events such as storms. Learn more at comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/claims/file-a-claim/.

Storms can also take an emotional toll. Free, confidential support is available 24/7 through NYC Well by calling 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355) or texting WELL to 65173. You can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

To stay informed, sign up for Notify NYC by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 or visiting nyc.gov/notifynyc. Basement apartment residents should sign up at nyc.gov/notifynyc and select the basement apartment option to receive automated phone call alerts during life-threatening flooding emergencies.

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