Email Body:
The Advance Warning System (AWS) disseminates information to New Yorkers with special needs through their service providers. Please share the important information below with your clients and other agencies or individuals to empower them to make informed decisions:
Good morning AWS Partners,
The New York City Office of Emergency Management has issued a Travel Advisory for today Tuesday, December 9, through Wednesday, December 10, 2014. The National Weather Service is forecasting a powerful coastal storm (nor'easter) impacting New York City this morning. Heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding may continue to occur this morning through Wednesday. Yesterday, the City activated its Flash Flood Plan in anticipation of this storm.
The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Advisory citywide beginning this morning at 7:00 A.M., until 11:00 A.M today. A Flood Watch is in effect citywide from this morning through early Wednesday morning. A High Wind Advisory is also in effect citywide through the afternoon with possible wind gusts of 40mph-50mph. Exercise caution when driving and allow for additional travel time.
New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City's free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit www.nyc.gov, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
New York City Office of Emergency Management encourages New Yorkers to take the following precautions:
In advance of the storm:
� Know your area's flood risk. To estimate your flood risk, visit www.region2coastal.com. To estimate your flood insurance premium, visit www.floodsmart.gov.
� If you live in a flood-susceptible area, keep materials, such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber, on hand to help protect your home.
� Keep a battery operated radio to ensure you are able to hear weather and emergency updates.
� Prepare a Go Bag that you can grab in case you need to leave your home in a hurry.
� Stay tuned to television and radio news broadcasts for updated information as the storm develops.
� Learn the safest route from your home or workplace to safe, high ground in case you have to evacuate. This should be part of your household disaster plan.
� Secure outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture or garbage cans that could blow away and cause damage or injury.
� Remove debris from catch basins, as flooding can occur when these are blocked.
During a powerful storm, OEM strongly urges New Yorkers to remain indoors. If you must go out:
� Never touch or go near down power lines, even if you think they are safe.
� When outside, remember floods are deceptive. Try to avoid flooded areas, and don't attempt to walk across stretches of flood waters.
� Do NOT drive through flooded areas. Parts of the road may already be washed out, and you could become stranded or trapped.
NYC OEM Human Services Unit:
Please share this information with your clients and staff and feel free to contact any member of the Human Services Unit if your organization experiences any difficulties related to this weather event.
Thank you,
Human Services email distribution list: humanservices@oem.nyc.gov
Johanna Conroy
Director of Human Services
Cell: 917-662-3295
jconroy@OEM.NYC.GOV
Marianne Jackson
Special Needs Liaison
Cell: 646-335-5693
mjackson@oem.nyc.gov
Cynthia Barton
Disaster Housing Recovery Plan Manager
Cell: 917-468-2768
cbarton@oem.nyc.gov
Eli Fresquez
Special Needs Coordinator
Cell: 347-386-0389
efresquez@oem.nyc.gov
Jay Brandt
Human Services Emergency Preparedness Manager
Cell: 646-596-3147
jbrandt@oem.nyc.gov
Annette Santiago
Director of Human Resources
Cell: 347-534-7028
asantiago@oem.nyc.gov
Marnie Suss
Interagency Training Coordinator
Cell: 718-468-1728
msuss@oem.nyc.gov