Hurricanes And A Virus, CDC Issues Special Guidance On How To Deal With Both

New York City Emergency Management is issuing a travel advisory from Tuesday morning through Tuesday night. According to the National Weather Service.

There is the potential for heavy rainfall and strong winds that may reduce visibility and create hazardous travel throughout Tuesday due to Tropical Storm Isaias.

The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning, a flash flood watch and wind advisory for NYC, with sustained winds 40 to 50 mph, and gusts up to 60 mph. The heaviest rain is expected from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. The City’s Flash Flood Plan is also in effect, and the City’s Downed Tree Task Force has been put on alert.

“New York City Emergency Management is in contact with the National Weather Service to prepare for the potential impacts from Tropical Storm Isaias,” NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell said. “New Yorkers must stay vigilant in regards to possible flooding, high winds, and damaged property if they must move about the city during the storm.”

New Yorkers should plan for difficult travel conditions and are advised to exercise caution and consider taking public transportation if they must travel. Those who are able to stay home during the storm are advised to stay indoors. Heavy rains may lead to potential flooding in low-lying areas throughout the city, including lower Manhattan. If you are traveling, avoid flooded areas, turn on headlights, drive slowly, and exercise caution. Consider avoiding or delaying travel until flooding and heavy rain stop. Due to the hazardous travel conditions, people should allow extra travel time.

Please continue to monitor Notify NYC and local media for the latest information. For more information on the storm’s track, and the latest forecast, please visit the National Hurricane Center’s website at www.nhc.noaa.gov, or the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/nyc.

NYC Emergency Management has taken the following steps to prepare for the storm:

• NYC Emergency Management is working closely with the National Weather Service to monitor the storm’s track to determine any potential impact to New York City.
• NYC Emergency Management deployed its Interim Flood Protection Measures at South Street Seaport to mitigate flooding from potential storm surge.
• NYC Emergency Management will start a virtual Emergency Operations Center with partnering agencies on Monday at 8 p.m.
• NYC Emergency Management is hosting daily interagency conference calls with City and State agencies and public and private partners to coordinate the City’s preparation for the storm.
• NYC Emergency Management is undertaking extensive outreach to elected officials and community partners.
• NYC Emergency Management is issuing Advance Warning System (AWS) messages to service providers to encourage their clients to prepare for tropical storm 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.

Safety Tips

• 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.

Prepare For Strong Winds

Strong winds can bring down trees and power lines and can turn unsecured objects into dangerous projectiles. To protect against the hazard of strong winds, New Yorkers should:

• Check the area immediately surrounding your home for unsecured objects or potentially dangerous conditions.
• Tree limbs, garbage cans, yard debris, or other materials that can be moved by the wind are potential projectiles aimed at your home or parked vehicle.
• Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools and toys.
• Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
• Close up and secure patio furniture.
• Secure retractable awnings.
• Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.

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