Press Release

#03-24

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR WINTER STORM

NWS High Wind Warning expanded to entire city; widespread power outages are expected

January 9, 2024 – The New York City Emergency Management Department has updated its Travel Advisory for the evening of Tuesday, January 9 into Wednesday morning, January 10, 2024, as a strong storm impacts the region. Several National Weather Service products have been issued for this storm, including an expanded High Wind Warning that now includes all of New York City.

The citywide High Wind Warning is in effect from 6:00 p.m. today to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday. Southeast winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 65 mph are expected inland, with winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts as high as 70 mph expected along the coast. The period of strongest winds will be from about 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. According to the updated National Weather Service warning, widespread power outages are now expected. Downed trees and limbs may obstruct roads and damage properties. Unsecured outdoor items may blow away or be damaged. Travel may be very difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. New Yorkers are urged to promptly secure or move loose items indoors and prepare for power outages.

NYCEM is currently working with agency partners to conduct a temporary relocation of the Floyd Bennett Field Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center (HERRC). This relocation is a proactive measure being taken out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals working and living at the center. The relocation will continue until any weather conditions that may arise have stabilized and the facility is once again fit for re-occupancy. We are actively monitoring the situation and will issue updates as necessary.

A Flood Watch remains in effect citywide from 6:00 p.m. today to 12:00 p.m. Wednesday. Rain may start off light this afternoon with heavy rain developing in the evening and continuing through early Wednesday morning. The heaviest rainfall is expected between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., with spotty showers possible through about noon. Thunderstorms and lightning will also be possible overnight. The forecast calls for citywide rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches at rates around 0.5 inch/hour, with locally higher amounts and rates possible. A rising high tide this evening in New York Harbor and Jamaica Bay may coincide with the onset of heavy rain, resulting in compound flooding along vulnerable roadways near the shoreline, which may create travel disruptions for the evening commute. Additional impacts include widespread minor flooding and localized flash flooding of roadways and properties overnight, with residual flooding possible during the Wednesday morning commute. Areas adjacent to the Bronx River may see significant flooding overnight and Wednesday morning due to snowmelt and heavy rain occurring upstream.

A Coastal Flood Warning is now in effect for southern Queens from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Wednesday. A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. A Coastal Flood Statement has been issued for the Bronx and northern Queens from 7:00 p.m. to midnight tonight. Minor coastal flooding with 0.5 foot of inundation is possible this evening, which may be exacerbated by heavy rain. Widespread minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected tomorrow morning, with up to 2 to 2.5 feet of inundation possible along shorelines in Warning areas, and 1 to 2 feet of inundation possible in Advisory areas. This may result in widespread flooding of roadways, properties, basements and first floor structures, numerous road closures, and flood-damaged vehicles, especially for southern Queens and Jamaica Bay tomorrow morning. The tide will peak around 7:00 a.m. tomorrow in New York Harbor and Jamaica Bay, and around 10:00 a.m. in the Long Island Sound. Large breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet and high surf are also likely at Atlantic-facing beaches, resulting in significant dune erosion and overwash.

“As the city braces for heavy rain, potential coastal flooding, and significant winds to impact the tri-state region later today, New Yorkers need to take the necessary precautions to remain safe throughout the duration of this weather event and avoid going outside during the peak of the storm,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “With expected winds gusts of up to 70 MPH during the height of this storm, we are taking the proactive measure of relocating families from the Floyd Bennet Field shelter out of an abundance of caution to ensure the well-being of those entrusted to our care. While families are already in the process of temporarily being relocated, the city will ensure that essential services and the highest level of support are provided to all impacted by this decision. We are actively monitoring the situation, and as always, I encourage all New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC to get the latest updates and information.”

“As we prepare for the storm that’s set to impact New York City, I urge everyone to remain alert, prioritize their safety, and act swiftly,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “Anticipating wind gusts of up to 70 MPH, we are proactively relocating individuals from the Floyd Bennett Field Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center (HERRC) as a precaution to safeguard the well-being of those in our care. Our teams are out and working tirelessly to mitigate the storm's effects. As we closely monitor and respond to this weather, I urge all New Yorkers to stay informed through Notify NYC for the latest updates and to take all necessary precautions.”

New York City Emergency Management, in response to the forecasted weather, has activated the city's Flash Flood Emergency Plan, and coordinated calls with the National Weather Service, partner agencies, as well as utility companies to ensure a unified and coordinated response.

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) crews have been checking flood-prone locations to ensure the functionality of catch basins and drainage infrastructure. DEP is also prepared to manage stormwater with cleaned and inspected Bluebelts and monitor flooding on arterial highways.

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is prepared to monitor road conditions at its Traffic Management Center and coordinate with sister agencies for flood conditions, while also assisting in clearing catch basins to prevent roadway flooding. All empty tractor-trailers and tandem trailers will be prohibited on MTA bridges due to expected high winds.

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) maintains 111 water-trained rescue units, equipped for various water rescues, and 143 ladder companies with chainsaws for potential wind and tree events. FDNY's Special Operations Command is prepared with high-axel vehicles for high water navigation and additional chainsaw-equipped units.

The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) urges builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their sites. Random inspections will be conducted, with immediate enforcement action taken if necessary.

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will be checking and servicing hundreds of catch basins citywide, with equipment ready to assist in tree-related incidents, especially if the Downed Tree Taskforce is activated. There are currently no anticipated delays in trash/recycling collection. Residents may put material out at the curb following their normal schedule.

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation is on alert to monitor tree conditions, ready to activate the Downed Tree Task Force if necessary.

These efforts across multiple city departments reflect a unified and proactive approach to ensuring safety and minimizing the impact of severe weather conditions.

NYC Emergency Management strongly encourages all New Yorkers to take proactive steps to ensure their own safety and support the city’s resilience:

Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the city will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. Sign up for emergency notifications online or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
Allow for extra travel time. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation whenever possible. Expect delays with little to no notice. If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. Turn around, don't drown. Do not drive into flooded streets or enter flooded subway stations.
If it is safe to do so, clear debris from catch basins to prevent street flooding. Be sure to wear gloves & watch out for traffic. You can also report a clogged catch basin by calling 311.
Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.
If you live in a basement apartment, or in a low-lying, flood-prone, or poor drainage area, be prepared to move to higher ground or leave your apartment should conditions worsen.
New Yorkers should report tree conditions including downed trees and limbs to 311; in cases of true emergency, call 911.
To report power outages, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call your power provider immediately to report the outage. Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 800-75-CONED (752-6633) (TTY: 800-642-2308). You can also report an outage online on Con Edison's website. National Grid’s 24-hour hotline is 718-643-4050 (TTY: 718-237-2857). PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour hotline is 800-490-0025 (TTY: 631-755-6660)

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for NotifyNYC, the city’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. NotifyNYC is available in 14 languages, including American Sign Language. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, New Yorkers can visit the NotifyNYC website, call 311, or download the free NotifyNYC app for your Android or Apple device. You can now text to 692-692, using the code NOTIFYNYC, NOTIFYNYCESP (Spanish), and NOTIFYFRE (French) to be instantly enrolled to receive the highest priority, verified alerts across all the five boroughs.

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