Hurricane Joaquin Preparedness and Safety Information for New Yorkers
Notice from the New York City Office of Emergency Management:
As reported earlier, the only impacts New York City may experience from Hurricane Joaquin may be some increased surf and minor tidal flooding. We have been advised by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) that they will be deploying some temporary tide gauge monitors at the below locations. In past deployments, concerned citizens have called 9-1-1 to report these devices as they have the appearance of a pipe bomb. While we always encourage the public to report anything they deem suspicious, we wanted you to be aware that you may see USGS personnel deploying these sensors in your communities.
- Harlem River at Inwood Hill Park at Manhattan, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- East River near Manhattan Bridge at Brooklyn, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Raritan Bay at Tottenville Beach at Staten Island, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Raritan Bay at Prince's Bay at Staten Island, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Great Kills Harbor at Great Kills Park at Staten Island, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Lower New York Bay at Midland Beach at Staten Island, NY - Rapid-Deployment Gage and Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Lower New York Bay at Sea Gate at Brooklyn, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Rockaway Inlet near Floyd Bennett Field, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Cross Bay Blvd at Ozone Park at Queens, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Jamaica Bay at Broad Channel at Queens, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Jamaica Bay at Spring Creek Park at Queens, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Shell Bank Basin at Ozone Park at Queens, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing\
- Head of Bay at Rosedale at Queens, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Long Island Sound at Whitestone at Queens, NY - Sensor with Pipe Housing
- Pelham Bay at City Island at Bronx, NY - Rapid-Deployment Gage
Notice from Federal Emergency Management Agency:
Congressional Affairs Advisory
October 2, 2015
FEMA CONTINUES TO ACTIVELY MONITOR HURRICANE JOAQUIN AND SEVERE WEATHER
FEMA, through its regional offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, continues to monitor Hurricane Joaquin and the severe weather that will bring flooding along the east coast and remains in close contact with state, tribal and local officials as well as our federal partners.
According to the National Hurricane Center, as of 11:00am EDT, Hurricane Joaquin was located 5 miles south of Rum Cay Bahamas and moving toward the north at 3 mph. The maximum sustained winds were 130 mph. A northward motion at a faster forward speed is expected today with a turn toward the northeast expected tonight. Joaquin is a Category 4 Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next 24 hours. Slow weakening is expected to beginon Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service, many portions of the eastern U.S. are currently experiencing heavy rains and gusty winds associated with a frontal system. These heavy rains are likely to continue for the next few days, even if the center of Joaquin stays offshore. The resulting inland flood potential could complicate preparations for Joaquin should it head toward the coast, and even more substantial inland flooding is possible.
We encourage those in the areas potentially affected by Joaquin and the areas forecast for flooding to monitor local radio, TV stations or official social media accounts for updated emergency information, and to follow the instructions of state, local, and tribal officials.
When natural disasters strike, the first responders are local emergency and public works personnel, volunteers, humanitarian organizations and numerous business community and private sector groups. They provide emergency assistance required to protect the public's health and safety and to meet immediate human need.
Although there have been no requests for federal Stafford Act assistance, FEMA continues to stand ready to assist states and tribes, as needed and requested.
Federal Coordination and Mobilizations
· FEMA is working with its federal partners at the Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta, Georgia to help coordinate any requests for assistance from the affected states. This center brings together partners from the federal family to closely coordinate federal resources that may be requested from the affected state and tribal governments.
· FEMA has increased its staffing at our 24 hour National Watch Center in Washington D.C. to provide additional reporting and monitoring of the situation.
· FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams and other lead elements have either deployed or are preparing to deploy to potentially affected states to support response activities and ensure there are no unmet needs.
· FEMA staff have been activated to prepare for the establishment of potential Incident Support Bases which would pre-position supplies including water, meals, blankets and other resources closer to potentially affected areas, should they be needed and requested.
· At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories.
· The U.S. Coast Guard continues to assess and advise mariners and boaters on the status of ports.
· The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has placed its Planning and Response Teams and other subject matter experts on alert to deploy in support of state, local, and tribal governments.
· USACE is coordinating with east coast states; making preparations to provide emergency management support which includes coordinating with flood and coastal storm risk management project partners; coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard on federal harbors and channels; and preparing to deploy USACE liaisons to appropriate locations in advance of the hurricane.
· The National Park Service has implemented its emergency weather evacuation plan for several national parks along the east coast.
Safety and Preparedness Tips
· In any emergency, always follow the instructions given by state, local, or tribal emergency management officials.
· FEMA encourages all Americans to visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to learn more about how to be better prepared and how to protect your family during emergencies.
· Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas, at bridges, and at highway dips. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
· If you encounter flood waters on a roadway, Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
· Plan for your loved ones’ needs in advance. Ask schools, hospitals, nursing homes and day care facilities about their emergency plans and how they will keep your loved ones safe.
· Talk with personal care assistance providers, oxygen or dialysis providers, child or adult care providers, transportation providers, schools and workplaces about their plan for emergencies.
· Residents and visitors in potentially affected areas should be familiar with evacuation routes, have a family emergency communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have plans for their family members and pets. People with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, older adults and their families may need to take additional steps for themselves and their service animals.
· If you or someone you know needs assistance to receive and respond to emergency alerts and to safely evacuate in an emergency, work with family members, neighbors, friends, service providers and coworkers as partners in planning strategies that will work for your specific needs, whether you are at home or away from home.
· In preparation for the anticipated weather impact of Hurricane Joaquin, mariners and boaters should pay attention to navigable water conditions set by the area Captain of the Port and pleasure craft owners are advised to seek safe harbor.
· Boaters are also encouraged to remove any electronic position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), life jackets and life rings from their boat when the boat is moored and unoccupied. EPIRBs and loose gear often trigger false alerts with the Coast Guard and ties up resources that could be used for real search and rescue cases.
· Get to know the terms that are used to identify floods and discuss with your family what to do if a flood watch or warning is issued.
o A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding.
o A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
o A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding.
o A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.
o A Coastal Flood Watch is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is possible.
o A Coastal Flood Warning is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.
Severe Weather Business Preparedness Messaging:
· Businesses of all sizes should prepare for all hazards, including severe weather to prevent loss of life, property, or disruption to operations.
· Review and update your business continuity plan and ensure your workforce knows what to do in the event of severe weather.
· Resources are available on web sites such as Ready Business Preparedness,ready.gov/business, and the Small Business Administration,sba.gov/content/disaster-planning, including exercises and preparedness tips.
· Encourage your employees to update their family emergency plan to stay connected during severe weather while at work and develop alternate methods of communication. Also, download the commuter emergency plan to identify evacuation routes while at work, school, or home.
· Online resources:
· Ready Business: www.ready.gov/business
· Commuter emergency plan: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/90370
· Family emergency plan: https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/FamEmePlan_2012.pdf
· Small Business Administration disaster planning:https://www.sba.gov/content/disaster-planning
· Disaster Reporter App: https://www.fema.gov/disaster-reporter
For more information on preparing for severe weather and other natural disasters, and what you can do to protect yourself, your family and your business, visitwww.Ready.gov or www.listo.gov. Information regarding emergency preparedness and what to do before and after a disaster can also be found at m.fema.gov or by downloading the FEMA app from your smartphone’s app store.
Notice from the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross is busy preparing for the potential threat of Hurricane Joaquin this weekend and urging the public to be prepared as well. Hurricanes are strong storms that can be life threatening causing serious property-threatening hazards such as flooding, storm surge and high winds. “While the Red Cross is prepositioning supplies mobilizing volunteers and working with community partners, said Josh Lockwood, Regional CEO, American Red Cross Greater New York, “we are asking all New Yorkers to do their part. “
The American Red Cross in Greater New York recommends that residents update their family evacuation plan, emergency preparedness kit and get better prepared. Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane.
Be informed
· During any storm, listen to the local news or a NOAA Weather Radio
· Be sure to keep your phone nearby and pay close attention to warnings issued
· Download the free Red Cross Emergency App “an all-inclusive” app that combines more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts https://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/emergency-app
· Know the difference between a Hurricane Watch and a Hurricane Warning
What should you do?
· Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information
· Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters.
· Talk with members of your household and create an evacuation plan.
· Learn about your community’s hurricane response plan.
· Check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed.
· Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
· Check your disaster supplies kit to make sure items have not expired
· If you have propane, turn off the tank.
· If you are not advised to evacuate, stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
· Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use open flames
· If power is lost, turn off appliances to reduce damage from a power surge when electricity is restored.
· If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately.
What do you need?
· Water – at least a 3-day supply (one gallon per person per day),
· Food – at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare food
· Medications,
· First aid kit,
· Flashlight
· Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
· Copies of personal documents.
· A family disaster plan (available in English and Spanish.)
What should you do afterward?
· Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updates
· Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane has ended.
· If evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
Hurricane Preparedness & Additional Important Checklists
Download important Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness Checklists by clicking on: https://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster-safety-library
Hurricane Preparedness Checklists:
· English:https://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340160_Hurricane.pdf
· Spanish:https://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4440162_Hurricane_SPN.pdf
· Chinese:https://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4440161_Hurricane_SC_final.pdf