Hurricane Sandy Update

Here are some important details on preparations for Hurricane Sandy passed along from Andrew Olsen, Brooklyn Director of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, courtesy of Park Slope Neighbors:

This evening Mayor Bloomberg updated New Yorkers with our latest preparations for Hurricane Sandy. We expect the storm to reach our city early Monday, with the peak of the storm arriving later that day.

This is a serious and dangerous storm. While it is not likely to produce significant rainfall, sustained winds over 40 miles per hour and a storm surge of 4 to 8 feet are predicted over an extended period.  Winds are expected to pick up very early Monday morning, with the most intense period of wind and elevated water levels occurring from mid-day Monday through Tuesday afternoon.

At this time we are NOT mandating any evacuations because of the storm.  We strongly recommend that New Yorkers prepare to remain inside as the storm hits, whether at their own home or that of a friend or relative.  For anyone who is concerned about the impact of flooding or power outages on their home and would like to seek shelter elsewhere, we will open all 65 city shelters at 9am Sunday morning and they will remain open for the duration of the storm.

These facilities are open to anyone who needs them, will provide a safe place to sleep, and will have food.  Pets are welcome.

All shelters have at least one entrance usable for wheelchairs.  More information is available via 311, the OEM website and the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities website, both of which will also provide information about accessible transportation.

New Yorkers can find the closest evacuation center to them here.

Here are other important updates that you can disseminate to your constituents:

Transportation:

• UPDATE Sunday 10/28, 10:30 a.m.: The MTA has been directed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to begin an orderly shutdown and suspension of all subway, bus and commuter railroad service at 7 p.m. Sunday. Read more about how the closure will work on the MTA’s website.
• People should stay off the roads as much as possible.  Conditions may become dangerous, and any traffic would impede our emergency services crews.
• The Department of Transportation and the MTA will closely track wind conditions on the city’s bridges and implement slowdowns and closures as necessary to ensure safety.
• The Staten Island Ferry will continue to run unless very high winds force temporary service disruptions.
• The East River Ferry will be shut down after the last run tonight until the storm passes.

Schools: The city’s Department of Education has closed all public schools for Monday.

Healthcare Facilities: Yesterday the city recommended that healthcare, nursing, and acute care facilities in low-lying areas take steps in preparation for the storm.  These recommendations include halting new admissions, discharging those patients who can leave, and making arrangements for those who need to remain in care.

Parks and Beaches:

• All city parks will close at 5pm tomorrow (Sunday.)
• Any events scheduled in parks tomorrow will conclude at 2pm.
• Please emphasize to your constituents that going to parks and beaches during the storm will be very dangerous.  Falling tree branches and strong ocean currents will be constant threats.

Construction: The Department of Buildings has mandated that all outdoor construction be suspended as of 5pm today.

Staying Safe and Being Prepared

• All New Yorkers are encouraged to stock up on necessary supplies.  A guide for storm preparations can be found here.
• During the storm flying debris will be a risk.  People should stay away from windows and draw their shades.

Staying Informed: For the latest updates on the storm, New Yorkers can