Be Ready NYC

1. Have a Plan

• • Create an emergency support network
  • Write down your health and medical information
  • Pick a meeting place for your family.
  • Write down phone numbers. Don't rely only on your cell phone.
  • Plan for children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pets.
  • Practice your plan.
  • Review your insurance. Standard policies may not cover flood or wind damage.

Get the full plan: Complete the Ready New York: My Emergency Plan workbook at nyc.gov/readyny. Available in 13 languages and audio.

2. Gather Supplies
   
   Go Bag (for leaving quickly):

• Water and food that won't spoil

• copy your prescription and put it in your bag, or write down the essential meds with dosages and keep that list in the Go Bag.
• Important papers in waterproof bags
• Flashlight, radio, batteries, chargers, first aid kit
• Pet supplies: food, water, leash, crate, vaccination records
  
  Home Kit (for staying home, 7 days):

• 1 gallon of water per person per day
• Food that doesn't need cooking
• First aid kit
• Extra clothes and blankets

3. Stay Informed
   
   Sign up for Notify NYC—the City's free alert system:

• Go to nyc.gov/notifynyc or call 311
• Text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 for English
• Text NOTIFYNYCES to 692-692 for Spanish
• Text NOTIFYNYCFRE to 692-692 for French
• Available in 13 languages, including American Sign Language
  
  Turn on phone alerts:

• iPhone: Settings → Notifications → Government Alerts → turn on Emergency and Public Safety alerts
• Android: Settings → Safety & Emergency → Wireless Emergency Alerts → turn on Extreme and Severe alerts
  
  Note for organizations: Groups that support people with disabilities and access needs should enroll in the NYCEM Advance Warning System.

Extreme heat is the deadliest weather emergency in New York City, linked to over 500 deaths a year. Air conditioning is the best protection. Hot weather strains the body and can make health problems worse. It can raise your core temperature and lead to heat stroke or organ failure. Because of climate change, dangerously hot weather is happening more often and lasting longer.

Who is most at risk: Older adults, infants, people with health conditions, outdoor workers, people who live alone, and anyone without air conditioning. 

Before Extreme Heat

• Know your risks. Are you in a high-risk group?
• Get/Apply for a free air conditioner through HEAP if you qualify. Supplies are limited. Call 311 to sign up.
• Find Cool Options: malls, libraries, cafes, or City Cooling Centers. Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/beattheheat to find one near you.
• Prepare your home. Use blackout curtains. Clean your AC.
• Register with your utility company if you rely on medical equipment for priority power restoration in the event of a power outage.
• Keep backup batteries and other ways to power devices.
• Store medications in a cool place. Check if any need refrigeration.
• Make sure service animals have water and cool rest areas.
• Sign up for Notify NYC.

During Extreme Heat

Indoors:

• Set AC to 78°F or the highest comfortable temperature.
• Stay in one cool room to save energy.
• Use high energy consuming appliances only in early morning or late evening whenever possible.
• Fans alone will not lower your body’s core temperature  once it reaches 90°F indoors.
• If you don’t have access to air conditioning, visit a NYC Cool Option.
• Cool Options are private places like a friend or family member’s home, a café, a museum, or a mall, or a public place like an official NYC Cooling Center, which are libraries and other spaces with air conditioning. Visit nyc.gov/beattheheat

Outdoors:

• Avoid strenous physical activity.
• Take frequent breaks from the heat.
• Wear light clothes, use sunscreen, stay hydrated, stay in shade.

Stay hydrated:

• Drink water often, even if you are not thirsty.
• Replace/Increase your intake of  electrolytes with sports drinks if active or sweating heavily.

Check on others:

• Check in on older adults and neighbors without AC.
• Never leave children, adults, or pets in cars.
• Provide shade and water for your pets. Protect their paws from walking on sidewalks.

Know the signs of heat stroke:

• Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F).
• Red, hot, dry skin with no sweat.
• Rapid, strong pulse.
• Dizziness, confusion, or unconsciousness.
• Call 911 immediately - heat stroke is a medical emergency.

After Extreme Heat

• Keep checking on vulnerable neighbors.
• Turn off lights and appliances you don't need.
• Stay alert. Heat deaths happen even after heat waves end, as symptoms of extreme heat may take longer to appear in some individuals. Homes may also take longer to cool during the overnight hours.

Flooding can happen anywhere that it rains. Flash flooding is extremely dangerous and unpredictable. It happens very quickly by overflowing streets and low-lying areas when heavy rain overwhelms drainage system and the ground can't absorb the excess water. In New York City, it often hits basements and low-lying areas with little warning.

Who is most at risk: People in basement apartments, people in low-lying areas, anyone who needs extra time to move to higher ground.

Before Flooding

• Sign up for Notify NYC. Choose basement apartment alerts if you live below ground.
• Make a plan to move to higher ground if you live below grade or in a frequently flooded area.
• Prepare a Go Bag with waterproof bags for papers and electronics.
• Put in flood sensors or water alarms (costs change but they are in the range of $11) in areas that flood easily.
• Clear drains, stairwells, and gutters before storms.
• Clear exits like doors and windows if you live in a basement.
• Get flood insurance. Standard renter or homeowner policies do not cover flood damage.
• Register with your utility provider if you rely on powered medical equipment for priority restoration. Keep backup batteries.

During Flooding

• Call 911 to report life safety issues if you are in danger.
• Turn Around, Don't Drown. Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
• 6 inches of moving water can knock you down.
• 1 foot of water can sweep away a car.
• If you live in a basement, leave early. Do not re-enter a flooded or flooding basement.
• If flooding starts, move to a higher floor right away.
• Do not enter flooded lobbies, train stations or sidewalks.
• If you do not have access to a higher floor, go outside to a safer place like a NYC government building lobby, such as a precinct or hospital, before flooding starts.
• Stay alert at night. Keep your phone near you with alerts on and volume high.
• Do not touch floodwater. It may be contaminated or have electricity in it.
• Turn off utilities if told to do so, but never touch electrical equipment if you or it are wet.

After Flooding

• Call 911 to report life safety issues if you are in danger.
• Call 311 to report damage and request services.
• Wash well if you touch floodwater.
• Clean surfaces with bleach solution. Never combine bleach and ammonia.
• Throw away food that touched floodwater.
• Watch for mold and ask for cleanup help if needed.
• Pump basements slowly (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage. Water-saturated soil outside can cause walls to collapse if water is removed too quickly.

Coastal storms, including nor'easters, tropical storms, and hurricanes, can bring severe flooding, strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surge. Hazards include falling trees, downed power lines, flying debris, and loss of heat, water, and power.

Who is most at risk:  Anyone living or working on the coast, in a hurricane evacuation zone, people who live or work in high-rises during a storm, people in flood-prone areas, and anyone who needs help evacuating.

Before a Coastal Storm

• Check if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone at nyc.gov/knowyourzone
• Know that hurricanes bring impacts hundreds of miles inland, not just at the coast.
• Make a Go Bag with copies of important documents like leases, insurance coverage, banking information, IDs, current/non-expired medications, non-perishable food, and supplies.
• Plan early to stay with family or friends outside the zone when storms are forecast. You can leave before an evacuation order is issued.
• Move your car if it's in a frequently flooded area.
• Protect your home. Bring in or secure outdoor items like decorations, furniture and grilling units. Clear drains. Secure windows.
• Document your possessions with photos and serial numbers for insurance claims
• Review your insurance. Standard insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program has a 30-day waiting period, so get it early.
• Register with your utility provider if you rely on medical equipment for priority restoration. Keep backup batteries.
• If you need accessible transportation to evacuate, call 311 when an evacuation order is issued. Accessible transportation is available to evacuation centers outside the zone.
• Service animals and pets are welcome in all NYC shelters.
• Sign up for Notify NYC, including basement messaging apartment alerts.

During a Storm

If ordered to evacuate:

• 48 hours before a storm makes landfall, evacuation orders may be issued. Follow evacuation orders if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone. Do not stay. 
• Take your Go Bag and medications.
• Stay with family or friends outside the zone if possible. If not, go to an evacuation center. Call 311 for locations and transportation.
• Service animals and pets are welcome in all NYC shelters.

If you stay home but  live outside an active hurricane evacuation zone:

• You may still face flooding, dangerous winds, and power outages. Be prepared.
• Stay out of basements. Move to higher floors.
• Stay away from windows.
• Never walk or drive through floodwater.
• Assume that all downed power lines still have electricity in them. Do not touch them as they can shock you and electrocute you.
• Keep 3 to 7 days of supplies.
• Report power outages to Con Edison.

After a Storm

• Avoid deep water, downed power lines, and unstable trees or structures.
• Report unsafe conditions to 311.
• Prevent mold by drying wet objects and removing materials that can't be dried.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep food safe.
• Follow boil water notices if issued by City officials.

Winter in New York City can bring extreme cold, heavy snow, ice, and freezing rain. These hazards can disrupt transportation, shut down power and heat, block emergency services, and create dangerous conditions. Cold weather increases the risk of hypothermia and frostbite, especially for older adults, infants, and people with chronic health conditions.

Who is most at risk : Older adults, infants, people with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, those who rely on medical equipment, and anyone without adequate heating.

Before Winter Weather

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. NYC law requires them.
• Wear warm layered clothing, hats, and sturdy boots.
• Check your snow equipment. Keep rock salt and shovels.
• Winterize your car. Prepare a kit with blankets, food, water, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, reflectors, and first aid kit.
• Register with your utility provider if you rely on life-sustaining medical equipment. Keep backup power ready.
• Keep essential supplies at home so you can stay safely indoors during and after a storm.
• Know how to get help with heat through the Home Energy Assistance Program. Call 311.

During Winter Weather

• Stay indoors if possible.
• Dress in layers and cover exposed skin.
• Watch for frostbite (numbness, pale or waxy skin) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion, drowsiness). Call 911 if you see symptoms.
• Use heating equipment safely. Never use stoves, ovens, kerosene heaters, or grills to heat your home.
• Run generators only outdoors and away from windows.
• Report heat or hot water outages to your landlord, then call 311 if not resolved. NYC law requires minimum indoor temperatures from October 1 through May 31:
• Daytime (6 AM - 10 PM): At least 68°F inside when it's below 55°F outside
• Nighttime (10 PM - 6 AM): At least 62°F inside, regardless of outside temperature
• Hot water: At least 120°F year-round
• Take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.
• Ask neighbors or community groups for snow removal help if needed.

After Winter Weather

• Check on neighbors, especially older adults and those with access needs.
• Clear snow safely. Shovel slowly. Take breaks. Keep hydrants clear
• Prevent carbon monoxide risks by clearing car tailpipes and using detectors

Earthquakes are rare in New York City, but they can happen. The risk here is low to moderate. Shaking can still break glass, damage buildings, and knock down power lines. Unlike the West Coast, New York does not have an early warning system. If you feel shaking, do not wait for confirmation. Protect yourself right away.

Before an Earthquake

• Find safe spots in every room, like under a strong table or against an inside wall. Stay away from windows.
• Practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" with your family. If there is no table for everyone to hide under, get low by a wall and cover your head and neck.
• Secure your space. Bolt bookcases and TVs to the wall. Move heavy things to low shelves. Put latches on cabinets.
• Make a plan. Write down phone numbers. Pick a meeting place. Choose a friend or family member outside the city to be your contact. Include kids, older adults, people with disabilities, and pets.
• Pack a Go Bag and keep a 7-day supply of food, water, and medicines at home
• Know your utilities:
• Homeowners or property managers: Learn how to shut off gas, water, and power. Only turn off gas if you smell it, hear hissing, or see a broken pipe. Leave right away and call 911 and call Con Edison (1-800-75-CONED). If you are in Far Rockaway (served by PSEG Long Island): Report outages or gas issues, call 1-800-490-0075 or 631-755-6900.
• Apartment residents: Do not touch utilities. Report problems like gas smells or sparking wires to 911 immediately and your building staff.
• Stay informed. Sign up for Notify NYC and turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone.

During an Earthquake

Indoors:

• Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, get under a table, and hold on until shaking stops.
• Stay inside. Do not run outside.
• Do not stand in a doorway.

In bed:

• Stay there and cover your head with a pillow.

If you use a wheelchair or walker:

• Lock the wheels if you can.
• Protect your head and neck with your arms or a pillow.

In tall buildings:

• Stay away from windows.
• Do not use elevators
• After shaking stops, take the stairs if told to leave.

Outdoors:

• Go to an open area away from buildings, trees, and wires.

In a car:

• Pull over in a clear spot. Avoid overpasses, bridges, tunnels, and power lines.
• Stay inside until shaking ends.

On the subway or train:

• Stay inside. Hold on. Listen to staff.
• Never walk onto the tracks unless instructed by transit staff or emergency personnel.

For any life-threatening emergency, call 911 right away. If phones are not working, go to the nearest firehouse or police station if it is safe.

After an Earthquake

• Be ready for aftershocks. Drop, Cover, and Hold On again if shaking starts.
• Check yourself and others for injuries.
• If you smell gas, hear hissing, or see broken pipes, leave right away. Call 911 and Con Edison from outside.
• Downed wires:
• Stay at least 30 feet away. All wires should be treated as live.
• Call 911 if a wire is sparking, smoking, lying on a car, or touching a building.
• Call 311 to report wires that are down but not dangerous.
• Look around your home. Watch for cracks, broken glass, and sparking wires. Open cabinets slowly. Unplug appliances until power is stable.
• Keep food safe by keeping fridge and freezer doors closed. Use flashlights, not candles.
• Listen for updates from Notify NYC, radio, or local news. Do not go back into a damaged building until officials say it is safe.
• Report power outages to Con Edison. Never run generators inside. Always use them outdoors, away from windows and vents.
• For any life-threatening emergency after an earthquake, call 911 right away. If phones are not working, go to the nearest firehouse or police station if it is safe

Property and Services

• Call 311 after a major emergency to request city services and report damage.
• Document damage with photos and serial numbers of possessions for insurance claims.
• File insurance and FEMA claims quickly. Deadlines are strict.
• Use only licensed contractors. Some repairs require Department of Buildings permits.
• Follow Department of Sanitation rules for debris disposal.

Cleanup and Safety

• Wear protective gear.
• Clean with bleach solution. Never mix bleach with ammonia
• Keep children and pets away from contaminated areas.
• Watch for mold and fix leaks quickly.
• Pump basements slowly to avoid structural damage.

Mental Health and Support

Recovery is not only about homes and belongings. It is also about healing. Disasters and emergencies can affect emotional health and wellbeing. Free, confidential help is always available in New York City.

In an emergency, call 911.

NYC Well – 24/7 mental health support

• Call 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355)
• Text WELL to 65173
• Chat online at nycwell.cityofnewyork.us
• Available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and 200+ languages

NYC HOPE Hotline – 24/7 support for survivors of domestic violence, gender-based violence, sexual assault, trafficking, stalking, and elder abuse

• Call 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)
• TTY 800-810-7444
• Confidential safety planning, shelter assistance, and support in any language.
• Learn more at nyc.gov/nychope

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Free nationwide 24/7 crisis support

• Dial 988
• For Spanish: press 2, text AYUDA to 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org/es/chat
• ASL users: videophone dial 988
• Available in 240+ languages
• Learn more at 988lifeline.org

Disaster Distress Helpline – 24/7 nationwide support for disaster-related emotional distress

• Call or text 1-800-985-5990
• For Spanish: press 2
• ASL users: use videophone or select "ASL Now" on the website

Available in 100+ languages