Senate Resolution No. 154

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 1-7, 2023, as Hurricane Preparedness Week in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, 84 tropical or subtropical cyclones have affected the State
of New York since the 17th Century; and

WHEREAS, Hurricane season officially begins on June 1st and ends on
November 30th; and

WHEREAS, The 127 miles of New York coastline along the Atlantic
Ocean are most vulnerable during the months of August, September,
October, and November; and

WHEREAS, The devastating impact of hurricanes have taken a
financial, physical and emotional toll on the citizenry of New York
State in recent years; and

WHEREAS, On August 28, 2011, Hurricane Irene tragically made
landfall in the State of New York as a tropical storm with winds of 70
mph, causing over $296 million in damages and 10 fatalities; and

WHEREAS, On October 29, 2012, one of the darkest times in our
State's history, Hurricane Sandy made landfall in the State of New York,
causing over $18 billion in damages and 53 fatalities; and

WHEREAS, Hurricane Sandy caused a record 14.41 foot storm surge at
Battery Park, New York City, flooding various parts of Lower Manhattan
including tunnels and subway systems, making them inoperable for weeks;
as of late 2018 some are still damaged; the immediate aftermath included
widespread flooding, massive power outages and a system-wide disruption
of mass transit service; and

WHEREAS, Both public and private entities have worked to develop
emergency response and recovery plans in accordance with local
jurisdictions and local emergency management offices to protect our
State's communities and constituency; and

WHEREAS, The best defense is preparedness and public education about
the dangers of high winds, storm surge, and flooding that may occur in
conjunction with a hurricane; preparedness is everyone's responsibility;
and

WHEREAS, The National Weather Service has designated the week of May
1, 2023, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 1-7, 2023, as
Hurricane Preparedness Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.