HURRICANES DON'T WAIT. NEITHER SHOULD YOU.

#KNOWYOURZONE

 The Atlantic Coastal Storm season started on June 1, 2022. Share this preparedness information with your communities.

Hurricanes don't wait, and neither should you.

• MAKE AN EMERGENCY PLAN - Everyone in your household should know and understand the emergency plan and evacuation zones. Visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/guides-resources.page

• KNOW YOUR ZONE - Visit www.nyc.gov/knowyourzone

• GATHER SUPPLIES - Everyone in your household should have a Go Bag (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/get-prepared.page)

• STAY CONNECTED - Register for Notify NYC (https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/) New York City's official source for information about emergency alerts and important city services. Notify NYC messages are available in multiple languages (14, including American Sign Language). You can also receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service by downloading the FEMA App (https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-app-text-messages)

Visit NYC.gov/knowyourzone or call 311 (212-639-6375 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) to learn what to do to prepare for hurricanes in New York City.

Ready New York: My Emergency Plan

Ready New York: My Emergency Plan is a workbook designed to assist New Yorkers with disabilities or access and functional needs create an emergency plan. My Emergency Plan walks users through establishing a support network, capturing important health information, planning for evacuation, and gathering emergency supplies. First responders or caregivers can also use the workbook to help people during an emergency.

Stay Informed

One of the best ways to be prepared for an emergency is to stay informed.

Notify NYC

Notify NYC, the City of New York's official, free emergency communications program, will alert New Yorkers if there is an emergency in your area. Notify NYC messages are available through many formats, including email, text messages, telephone, the Notify NYC website, RSS, Twitter, and American Sign Language videos.

Register for emergency notifications by getting the free Notify NYC mobile application, visiting NYC.gov/notifynyc, contacting 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or following @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

Ready NYC App

The Ready NYC mobile application for Apple and Android gives you the power to be prepared by allowing you to make and store an emergency plan on your mobile device, and share your plan with your support network.

• Download the Ready NYC mobile application for iOS

• Download the Ready NYC mobile application for Android

Advance Warning System

The Advance Warning System provides emergency alerts and information to organizations that serve people with people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, and is managed by the New York City Emergency Management Department in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities.

Communication

An emergency can affect your normal way of communicating with others. Develop a support network that can assist you during an emergency. This should consist of local and out-of area contacts, and include family, friends, neighbors, home attendants, coworkers, and/or members of community groups. Make sure to go over your plan with your contacts. Record the ways you prefer to communicate with others (e.g., email, sms/text, video relay, text telephone, etc.); that way, first responders can contact your support network in the event you are unable to communicate.

Tips

• If you have a vision disability, be prepared to explain to others how to best guide you.

• If you have a cognitive or emotional disability, be prepared for changes in your environment.

• If you have a medically diagnosed developmental disability, you may request a developmental disability identification card Office for People With Developmental Disabilities online.

• If you have a hearing disability, practice communicating your needs through gestures, note cards, text messages, or other means. You may, for example, want to write down instructions so that first responders can read what you need, such as whether you need a Sign Language interpreter.

• You can request police, fire, and medical assistance from public pay phones and/or emergency call boxes. For more information, visit the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities online.

• ASL Direct is a video calling system that provides an all-inclusive, accessible means to City services. For more information, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities online.

Take Steps to Prepare

• Provide your emergency contacts with a spare key so they can access your building.

• Inform your contacts where you keep your Go Bag and emergency supply kit.

• Make copies of important documents, including health information.

• If you receive home-based care (e.g., home care attendant, home health aide, visiting nurse service), include caregivers in developing your plan and familiarize yourself with your homecare agency's emergency plan.

• If you have a pet, emotional support or service animal, be alert and plan for his or her needs. During an emergency, pets, emotional support and service animals can become stressed.

• Consider your dietary needs and always stock nonperishable food at home in case you have to shelter in place during an emergency.

• If you take medication, make a list of the medications you take, why you take them, and their dosages. Remember: emergencies can affect your ability to access medications. Don't wait until the last minute to refill your prescription medications.

  • Have a plan with your doctor to get emergency prescription refills.

  • If you take prescription medication, contact your pharmacy to get a refill if you have less than seven days' worth of medication left. Get prescription preparedness tips from the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

• If you receive dialysis, chemotherapy, or other life-sustaining treatment, find out whether there is a back-up location so your service is not interrupted.

• If you or anyone in your home depends on electrically-powered life-sustaining medical equipment (such as a ventilator or cardiac device), receives dialysis or has limited mobility, there are specific steps you should take to prepare for a coastal storm. Learn more from the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

Gather Supplies for Your Needs

Go Bag

Consider adding the following supplies to your Go Bag — a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation:

• Manuals and extra batteries for any devices you use

• Notepad and pen to communicate

• Emergency health information card

• Aerosol tire repair kits and/or tire inflator to repair flat wheelchair or scooter tires

• Magnifying glasses

• Extra mobility canes

• Supplies for your pets or service animal (e.g., extra water, bowl, leash, plastic bags, toys and treats, etc.)

• Back-up medical equipment such as glasses, batteries, or phone charger

• Items to comfort you in a stressful situation

Include items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, including hand sanitizer, and face coverings for each person.* (*Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 2. They also should not be used by people having trouble breathing, or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or unable to remove the mask without assistance. Learn more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC))

Emergency Supply Kit

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit, which should include enough supplies to survive on your own for up to seven days:

• Back-up medical equipment such as oxygen, medication, scooter battery, hearing aids, mobility aids, and glasses

• Whistle or bell

• Numbers of medical devices and instructions

• Supplies for pet or service animal (e.g., food, extra water, bowl, leash, plastic bags, toys and treats, and contact information for your veterinarian, etc.)

• Contact information for your doctors and pharmacy

Evacuation and Sheltering

Transportation Considerations

Before an emergency, call 311 to locate accessible transportation options. These can include the MTA subways and buses, Access-A-Ride, and accessible taxis. To locate additional information about accessible transportation for people with disabilities access and functional needs, visit www.mta.info.

• According to the MTA, there are nearly 6,000 accessible buses that provide service and 109 accessible subway stations. Accessible subway stations include features such as elevators, ramps, and tactile warning strips. Visit www.mta.info for more information.

• New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Access-A-Ride before an emergency. Those who are unable to travel on the MTA subways and buses can use Access-A-Ride if they qualify. This service is a shared-ride service and can transport individuals door-to-door.

• Accessible taxis are available through the accessible dispatch system, and there are five ways to book an accessible taxi. To find out more information about these services, visit NYC.gov/mopd.

• If these options do not meet your needs and you require immediate assistance, call 911.

Evacuation Transportation for People with Disabilities & Others with Access or Functional Needs

When the Mayor has issued an evacuation order due to a coastal storm or hurricane, people with disabilities or other access or functional needs, who have no other options to evacuate safely, can request transportation assistance by contacting 311.

Depending on your need, you will either be taken to:

• An accessible evacuation center in an accessible vehicle, OR

• A hospital outside of the evacuation zone by ambulance.

You may not be able to request transportation to a specific address.

Specific instructions about which areas of the City should be evacuated will be communicated through various channels. If you live or are staying in an evacuation zone and your zone is ordered to evacuate, leave as soon as you can.

Use public transportation to evacuate if possible. When considering your transportation route, be aware that public transportation, including MTA's Access-A-Ride, may shut down hours before the storm arrives.

Sheltering Considerations

When an emergency strikes, it is important to seek safe shelter. Some emergencies may require you to shelter in place, while other emergencies may require evacuation. Be ready to explain to first responders and emergency workers that you need to evacuate and how you will need to be assisted.

• In the event of a coastal storm or hurricane, the City may open evacuation centers for those are unable to stay with family or friends outside the evacuation zone.* For a list of evacuation centers near you, including accessible evacuation centers, visit the Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder online at NYC.gov/knowyourzone, or call 311.

  • *Ask friends or relatives outside your area if you are able to stay with them. Check and see if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or have people in their home at higher risk for serious illness. If they have symptoms or people at higher risk in their home, make other arrangements.

• Disaster shelters may be set up in school, municipal buildings, and places of worship. They provide basic food and water. If possible, bring clothing, bedding, bathing and sanitary supplies, medications, and your Go Bag to shelters. Watch this video for information about staying in evacuation centers (presented in American Sign Language). Maintain at least 6 feet of space between you and people who aren’t in your immediate family.

Residential Apartment Planning

• Emergency evacuation devices (often referred to as stair chairs) allow provide people with mobility disabilities with a potential option to exit a building during a fire or other emergency using the stairs prior to the arrival of the New York City Fire Department's (FDNY) Fire and EMS Units. The devices may also be of assistance during power outages or when elevators are not functioning for extended periods of time. The decision to purchase and pre-position the devices in your building requires many considerations and careful planning. (NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities - MOPD)

• The NYC Apartment Building Emergency Preparedness Guide, developed by the NYC Fire Department (FDNY), helps to inform apartment building residents and staff about apartment building safety, and what each resident can do to prepare for emergencies, prevent fires and protect themselves and their families during a fire or non-fire emergency. (FDNY)

• The NYC Apartment Building Individual Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Planning Checklist is designed to assist building residents in creating their emergency evacuation plans, and provides recommendations on how building residents can prepare for emergencies that may affect their building.

• Emergency Planning and Evacuations for Residential Building Owners/Managers lays out key elements building owners and managers are encouraged to consider in emergency preparedness with building residents, as well as building staff. (NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development)

• The ABC's of Housing - NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development's guide to housing rules and regulations for owners and tenants. (NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development)

• Opportunity Knocks, Engaging Residential Building Owners and Residents in Emergency Planning and Outreach (2021) is a webinar that explored how emergency planning can benefit and be expanded through increased outreach to the residential building community. Access the PowerPoint

Plan for Power Disruptions

Ask your utility company whether your medical equipment qualifies you to be listed as a life-sustaining equipment customer (LSE). For those who rely on electric-powered medical equipment at home (e.g., respirators, dialysis machines, apnea monitors), please register with your utility provider so you can be contacted in the event of an emergency.

While registering with your utility provider is an important preparedness step, people who use electric-powered medical equipment should have an emergency plan. Consider the following:

• Make sure to charge all medical and communications devices before the power goes out.

• An alternate source of electric power, such as a battery back-up system.

• If using a generator be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, local building codes, and ensure that it's in a well-ventilated area.

• Include variety of telephone options (land-line, cordless, cellular) if possible.

• If you rely on oxygen, talk to your vendor about emergency replacements. In the event that you do not have access to oxygen, call 911 for immediate assistance.

• If you or anyone in your home depends on electrically-powered life-sustaining medical equipment (such as a ventilator or cardiac device), receives dialysis or has limited mobility, there are specific steps you should take to prepare for a coastal storm. Learn more from the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

Depending on your provider, other programs may be available if you need extra time to pay your utility bill due to medical conditions.

If utilities are included in your rent, you are still eligible to register for this program directly with the utility company.

Register with Your Utility Provider

• If you are a Con Edison customer (serving all of NYC except the Rockaways), you may register by calling 1-800-752-6633 (TTY: 1-800-642-2308). For more information, visit Con Edison's special services website.

• If you are a PSEG Long Island customer (serving the Rockaways), you may register by calling 1-800-490-0025 (TTY: 1-631-755-6660). For more information, visit PSEG Long Island online.

• If you are a National Grid NYC customer (serving Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island), call 718-643-4050 (or dial 711 for New York State Relay Service). Customers can also visit National Grid online.

• If you are a National Grid Long Island customer (serving the Rockaways), call 1-800-930-5003. Customers can also visit National Grid online.

For more information about planning for utility disruptions, visit the Plan for Hazards: Utility Disruptions page.

More Resources

• Be Prepared for Power Outages palm card (PDF): English, Spanish

• Be Prepared for Power Outages poster (PDF): English, Spanish

Get Involved

• Access community planning resources for people with disabilities, access and functional needs by visiting the Plan Inclusively: Disabilities, Access, and Functional Needs page.

Pets & Service Animals

For many, pets are more than just animals — they are a part of the family. As members of your family, they should be included in your emergency planning process. Make sure your disaster plan addresses what you will do when an emergency requires you to leave your home, leave your pet at home, or prevents you from returning home. A few simple steps to ensure your pet's safety can go a long way when disaster strikes.

Ready New York: My Pet's Emergency Plan

Ready New York: My Pet's Emergency Plan is a workbook that outlines steps pet owners can take to ensure their pets are prepared for all types of emergencies.

Make a Plan

• Record important information about your pet so that you can easily access it during an emergency.

• Before an emergency, make a list of emergency contacts. Keep a copy of this list in your pet's Go Bag.

Proper Identification

• Dogs and cats should wear a collar or harness, rabies tag, and identification tag at all times. Identification tags should include your name, address, and phone number, and the phone number of an emergency contact. Dogs should also wear a license. Get information on dog licensing from the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.

• Talk to your veterinarian, contact 311 online, or visit NYC.gov about microchipping your pet or service animal. A properly registered microchip enables positive identification of your pet or service animal if you and your pet/service animal are separated.

• Keep a current color photo of your pet or service animal (in the event it becomes lost).

Evacuating With Your Pet or Service Animal

Think about where you will go with your pet and how you will get there if you have to leave home during an emergency.

• Arrange for family or friends outside of the affected area to shelter your pet.

• Identify animal-friendly hotels outside of the affected area.

• Talk with your local veterinarian, kennel, or grooming facility to see if they can offer safe shelter for your pet during an emergency. Create a Go Bag for your pet or service animal (See Pet Go Bag Checklist).

• Practice evacuation plans to familiarize your pet with the process and increase its comfort level.

• Know your pet's hiding places so you can easily find it during an emergency. Keep in mind a stressed pet may behave differently than normal and its stress level may increase. Use a muzzle to prevent bites. Also be advised that scared pets may try to flee.

Pets/Service Animals and Public Transportation

Pets in carriers are allowed on MTA subways, buses, and trains.

When an evacuation order is declared, pets too large for carriers will also be allowed, provided those animals are muzzled and controlled on a sturdy leash no longer than four feet. The City will announce when this policy is in effect. 

According to the MTA, customers with disabilities are permitted to bring their service animals into all MTA transit facilities. Learn more

Pets/Service Animals and Emergency Sheltering

In the event that the City’s emergency shelter system is open, and you cannot shelter your pet at a kennel or with friends or relatives outside the evacuation area, pets are allowed at all City evacuation centers. Please bring supplies to care for your pet, including food, leashes, a carrier, and medication. Bring supplies to clean up after your animal. Only legal pets will be allowed. Service animals are always allowed.

If You Are Unable to Get Home to Your Pet or Service Animal

Some emergencies may prevent you from returning home. In planning for such emergencies:

• Identify a trusted friend, neighbor, or dog-walker to care for your pet in your absence. This person should have a set of your house keys, be familiar with your home and pet, know your emergency plan, and have your contact information.

• Put stickers on the main entrances to your home to alert rescue workers of the number and types of pets or service animals inside. Update the information on the stickers every six months. Free Rescue Alert stickers can be ordered from the ASPCA.

• Keep a collar/harness, leash, and your pet's/service animal's Go Bag in a place where it can be easily found.

Prepare Your Pet or Service Animal for Weather Emergencies

Do not forget the needs of pets and service animals when severe weather strikes.

During extreme heat:

• Never leave pets in the car. Temperatures rise quickly even with the windows down and can be deadly for your pet. Call 911 if you see a pet or child in a hot car.

• Be sure your pets have access to plenty of water, especially when it's hot.

• Make sure your pet has plenty of shady places to go when outdoors.

• Avoid exercising with your pet outside on extremely hot days.

• Be sure your pet or service animal has plenty of food and water.

During winter or extreme cold:

Bring pets/service animals inside during cold weather.

Wipe your dog's paws: ice-melting chemicals can make your pet sick.

Be sure your pet or service animal has plenty of food and water.
Prepare Your Pet or Service Animal for Health Emergencies

• Identify a family member, friend or neighbor who can care for your pet or service animal if someone in the household becomes ill.

• Have crates, food and extra supplies on hand for quick movement of pets.

• Avoid crowded dog parks, veterinary offices and trails, and be sure to bathe your pet after exposure to those environments.

• Wash pet bedding, leashes, collars, dishes and toys the same way you would clean other surfaces in your home.

• If you have neighbors who are self-quarantined or otherwise in need of help, offer to walk their dog or take pets for routine visits.

• Similar to the precautions recommended to prevent human transmission, the World Organization of Animal Health currently recommends regular hand washing with soap and potable water before and after touching animals, their food, or their supplies.

Gather Supplies
Pets should have their own Go Bag — a sturdy, easy-to-carry container, such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels — that should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry, and include the following items:

• A current color photograph of you and your pet together (in case you are separated)

• Copies of medical records that indicate dates of vaccinations and a list of medications your pet takes and why

• Proof of identification and ownership, including copies of registration information, adoption papers, proof of purchase, and microchip information

• Physical description of your pet, including species, breed, age, sex, color, distinguishing traits, and any other vital information about characteristics and behavior

• Animal first-aid kit, including flea and tick treatment, and other items recommended by your veterinarian

• Food, water, and dishes for at least three days

• Collapsible cage or carrier

• Muzzle* and leash

• Cotton sheet to place over the carrier to help keep your pet calm

• Comforting toys or treats

• Litter, litter pan, and scoop

• Plastic bags for cleanup

Include pet supplies in your own emergency supply kit — the set of supplies you need to survive in your home for up to seven days.

• Pet food. If you use wet food, make sure you have pop-up cans or a manual can opener on hand. Rotate food and water items every six months to avoid expiration. 

• Water. Dehydration is a serious health risk to animals. Check with your veterinarian to see how much water your pet needs on a daily basis. 

• Plastic bags, newspapers, containers, and cleaning supplies

After An Emergency

• After an emergency, be extra careful when letting your pet or service animal loose outdoors and be sure your pet wears an identification tag.

• Familiar scents and landmarks may have been altered, which may cause your pet/service animal to become confused or lost.

• If your pet is lost, visit Animal Care & Control of New York City.

More Resources

• Ready New York: My Pet's Emergency Plan

• Pets and Animals (FEMA)

• General Pet Care: Disaster Preparedness (ASPCA)