Hey Harlem, NYC Emergency Management Issues Travel Advisory For Monday, May 16, 2022

New York City Emergency Management has issued a travel advisory for Monday, May 16, 2022. According to the latest forecast, there is a chance for showers and isolated thunderstorms Sunday night, with a Coastal Flood Statement in effect for Brooklyn, southern Queens, and Staten Island from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.

A stronger system that will move through the area at around 2 p.m. Monday poses a threat for severe thunderstorms, including damaging winds and small hail.

An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out somewhere in the region.

No flash flooding is anticipated at this time, but localized nuisance flooding is possible during periods of heavy rainfall.

High astronomical tides may produce minor coastal flooding along vulnerable shorelines Sunday night and Monday night.

Total rainfall of 0.50 inch of rain is expected with locally higher amounts possible. In addition, winds are expected to be 20 mph to 25 mph with peak wind gusts of up to 30 mph expected between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday, though there is a small chance the city could experience wind gusts as high as 60 mph during this event.

“As unsettled weather continues to impact our area, New Yorkers should prepare for a wet, windy commute Monday afternoon and evening,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. 

“We urge all New Yorkers to exercise caution and prepare for potential power outages. If you must travel, consider using public transportation and allow for extra travel time, and if you must drive, do not enter flooded roadways. We also encourage New Yorkers to take extra care to secure their property. Bring in any loose, lightweight objects like garbage cans, potted plants, or lawn furniture that can be easily blown away.”

New Yorkers are also encouraged to stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program, to receive free emergency alerts and updates in your preferred language and format by visiting NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), following @NotifyNYC on Twitter, or getting the free Notify NYC mobile application for your Apple or Android device.

Safety Tips

• If you live in a basement apartment, be prepared to move to a higher floor during periods of heavy rain.
• 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.
• Exercise caution when traveling. Do not drive your vehicle or walk into areas where water covers the roadway as the water depth may be too great to allow you to cross safely. Use mass transit if possible.
• 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.
• Avoid flooded subway stations.
• 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.

Prepare for 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.

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. 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. Sign up for Notify NYC to receive free emergency alerts and updates in your preferred language by visiting NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), following @NotifyNYC on Twitter, or getting the free Notify NYC mobile application for your Apple or Android device.