New York City Emergency Management (EMS) is issuing a travel advisory for Wednesday morning into Thursday morning. According to the National Weather Service, remnants of Tropical Storm Ida will track near the region Wednesday afternoon into Thursday, bringing a period of heavy rain and potential flash flooding to the region, the bulk of which will occur overnight.

 

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for New York City from 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, until Thursday, September 2, at 2 p.m. A total of 5 to 6 inches of rain is expected, with higher amounts of up to 8 inches possible in some local areas. Wind gusts of up to 30 mph are also expected.

 

NYC Emergency Management Commissioner John Scrivani said, “New York City Emergency Management is in contact with the National Weather Service to prepare for any potential impacts to the city caused by remnants of Tropical Storm Ida.” He added,  “New Yorkers should take time to prepare and take the appropriate precautions if they must move about the city during the storm.”

 

EMS officials said the department is prepared for the storm, will monitor it and said it will rapidly respond to any potential impacts throughout the city. They said the City’s flash flood emergency plan is activated to ensure a quick, effective, and coordinated response to any flash flood events that do occur, adding that EMS works closely with NYPD, FDNY, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Sanitation, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to mitigate the impact of any flash floods.

 

New Yorkers are encouraged to report clogged catch basins and areas of standing water to 311, (212) 639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY (212) 504-4115).

 

City officials said EMS has taken the following steps to prepare for the storm:

• It is working closely with the National Weather Service to monitor the storm’s track to determine any potential impacts to New York City.
• It has activated the City’s Flash Flood Emergency Plan.
• It is hosting daily interagency conference calls with City and state agencies, utility partners, and public and private partners, to coordinate the City’s preparation for the storm.
• The City’s Downed Tree Task Force has been placed on alert.
• It is contact with elected officials and community partners.
• It is issuing Advance Warning System (AWS) messages to service providers to encourage their clients to prepare for the incoming weather. The AWS message is disseminated to more than 1,400 local nonprofits and organizations that work with people with disabilities and access and functional needs.

 

City officials have issued the following safety tips to residents:

• If you live in a flood-prone area, keep materials such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber on hand to help protect your home.
• If you have a disability or access or functional need, make sure your plan addresses how your needs may affect your ability to evacuate, shelter in place, or communicate with emergency workers. Arrange help from family, friends, or service providers if you will need assistance.
• When outside, avoid walking and driving through flooded areas. As few as six inches of moving water can knock a person over. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. One or two feet of water can carry away a vehicle.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that tree limbs, leaves, or water can cover downed wires from view. Always stay away from downed power lines because they could be live.
• Report downed wires immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you are in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.

 

Power Outages

• To prepare for a possible power outage, charge cell phone batteries, gather supplies, and turn your refrigerator and freezer to a colder setting. If you lose power, items that need refrigeration will stay cooler for longer.
• Make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios or televisions are working. Keep extra batteries.
• If you lose power and have a disability, access and functional needs or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and need immediate assistance, dial 911.
• Do not use generators indoors.
• 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.

 

Stay Informed

Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels including Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies.

 

To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio will be holding a virtual press conference at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, though it is unknown at this time if the reason for the press event is to provide an update on Storm Ida or for another reason.