Preparing for Severe Weather
Daniel L. Squadron
August 25, 2011
Many 25th Senate District residents live within Hurricane Evacuation Zone A and are therefore part of a MANDATORY evacuation. Click here to find out whether your home or business is in Evacuation Zone A. If you have trouble with that link, download a PDF of NYC Hurricane Evacuation Zones here.
If you live in Zone A:
- Please plan on immediately going to stay with friends or family outside of Zone A.
- If you have nowhere else to go, there are evacuation centers throughout the city that will open at 4PM Friday. Find your closest evacuation center on this map. Pets are allowed in evacuation centers. Owners are urged to bring proof of rabies vaccines and a carrier.
- Take a “go bag” with emergency items, including an extra set of house and car keys, credit and ATM cards as well as cash, bottled water and nonperishable foods, a flashlight, battery-operated radio, first aid kit and copies of important documents (photo ID, proof of address, insurance cards) in a waterproof portable container.
- You must evacuate your home and be in shelter by 5PM Saturday.
No matter where you live:
- If you require Access-a-Ride for transportation, make arrangements to be picked up Friday by calling 877-337-2017. Access-a-Ride will be shut down on Saturday at 12 Noon.
- The MTA will shut down all mass transit on Saturday at 12 Noon. It is possible that bridges and tunnels will also be closed.
If you live outside of Zone A:
- Stay tuned to television or radio news, or call 311, to find out if the city is evacuating other areas.
- The Red Cross (877-733-2767) has put together a Hurricane Safety Checklist, available in English, Spanish and Chinese below.
- Report service problems and power interruptions and view service restoration information on Con Ed's website or by calling 1-800-752-6633.
- Stock up on bottled water and other essentials on the checklist, and make a plan in case you need to evacuate.
- Invite friends and family who live in Zone A to stay with you.
The City will provide updates and storm monitoring here and via 311. You call call the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at 828-271-4800 for the latest weather information.
As always, call 911 if you have a real emergency.
Most importantly, please stay safe!