Video summary
Atlantic hurricane season has arrived, bringing with it the urgent need for New Yorkers to understand their specific risk zones as climate change makes strong storms more frequent and capable of affecting any part of the city. While city officials are working tirelessly to protect residents, individual preparedness is equally critical for ensuring safety when a storm approaches. The first step in this preparation process is determining whether one lives in a coastal evacuation zone, an area mapped out by the city into six distinct levels where Zone One represents the most vulnerable regions facing severe flooding from major storm surges.
When a coastal storm threatens to arrive, the city may issue orders to evacuate neighborhoods at risk of flooding, making it essential for residents to know their status beforehand. Even those living far from the coastline must remain vigilant, as heavy and rapid rainfall can cause significant flooding in inland areas regardless of proximity to the sea. The dangers posed by these storms are multifaceted, including destructive winds, power outages, erosion, and life-threatening water levels, which is why every resident needs to adopt a "ready, set, go" mindset wherever they call home.
Preparation involves creating a comprehensive plan that includes securing a place to stay with friends or family if an evacuation is ordered, or locating the nearest city-run shelter using official tools like the evacuation zone finder. Residents should assemble a go-bag containing identification, medications, waterproof copies of important documents, and emergency supplies for themselves, their children, and their pets, while also keeping basic provisions at home to survive potential power outages. Staying informed through services like Notify NYC is another crucial step that allows people to receive timely alerts and act quickly before conditions deteriorate.
Ultimately, the most important action when a storm approaches is to evacuate immediately if you are in a designated zone, following official routes without waiting for conditions to worsen. Delaying an evacuation can turn a manageable situation into a life-threatening emergency, so residents must be ready to leave as soon as instructions are given. By combining city resources with personal readiness and a clear understanding of local risks, New Yorkers can better navigate the challenges of hurricane season and ensure the safety of their communities.
Read the full video transcript
It's Atlantic hurricane season, and that
means it's time to know your zone. Our
changing climate means that hurricanes
and strong storms are becoming more
common, and they can affect any part of
[music] our city. We're doing everything
we can to protect New Yorkers from
storms, but it's just as important for
you to know what to do if a storm is on
its way, and how to [music] stay safe.
The first thing you'll want to do is
know if you're in a coastal evacuation
zone. We've mapped out the city with six
evacuation zones, with zone one areas
being the most vulnerable to flooding in
a major storm surge. When a coastal
storm is approaching, the city may order
the evacuation of neighborhoods in
danger of flooding from storm surge. To
tell us more about how to stay safe
during hurricane season, we're going to
take you live to our field reporter,
Mayor Seraphin Koinondanis.
>> Thanks, Mayor. I'm here live from a zone
one evacuation zone. I'm up in a
high-rise during the storm, which is
another risky situation during a coastal
flooding emergency. Coastal storms can
turn deadly through destructive winds,
power outages, heavy rainfall, storm
surge, coastal flooding, and erosion.
Flooding can also hit hard in many
neighborhoods that are not near a
coastline, depending on how hard and
fast it rains. So, it's important,
wherever you live, to be ready, set, go.
Back to you, Mayor.
>> He's right. First, make a plan. If
you're in a coastal evacuation zone,
make sure you have a place to stay with
friends or family if the city tells you
to evacuate. If not, use the city's
evacuation zone finder to find your
nearest city-run evacuation shelter.
You should also have a go-bag, ready
with your ID, medications, copies of
important documents in waterproof bags,
and other emergency supplies for you,
your children, and your pets. If you're
not in a zone, you should still have
basic supplies at home to make it
through a power outage.
>> That's right, Mayor. But, when a storm
approaches, you also have to get set.
Stay informed by signing up for Notify
NYC.
Uh-oh, Mayor. It sounds like it's time
for you to go. That means if you're in
an evacuation zone, evacuate as soon as
you can and follow official routes.
Don't wait for conditions to get worse.
Thanks, mayor. Now I'm out of here. Stay
safe, New York.