The Advance Warning System (AWS) disseminates information to people with disabilities and others with access and functional 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.
NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT
Heavy rains and gusty winds could limit visibility and create difficult travel conditions through Tuesday night
Tropical Storm Warning in effect citywide; with heavy rains and strong winds from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the strongest rains and tropical strength winds from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday
August 3, 2020 New York City Emergency Management is issuing a travel advisory from Tuesday morning through Tuesday night. According to the National Weather Service, there is the potential for heavy rainfall and strong winds that may reduce visibility and create hazardous travel throughout Tuesday due to Tropical Storm Isaias.
The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning, a flash flood watch and wind advisory for NYC, with sustained winds 40 to 50 mph, and gusts up to 60 mph. The heaviest rain is expected from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. The Citys Flash Flood Plan is also in effect, and the Citys Downed Tree Task Force has been put on alert.
New Yorkers should plan for difficult travel conditions and are advised to exercise caution and consider taking public transportation if they must travel. Those who are able to stay home during the storm are advised to stay indoors. Heavy rains may lead to potential flooding in low-lying areas throughout the city, including lower Manhattan. If you are traveling, avoid flooded areas, turn on headlights, drive slowly, and exercise caution. Consider avoiding or delaying travel until flooding and heavy rain stop. Due to the hazardous travel conditions, people should allow extra travel time.
Please continue to monitor Notify NYC and local media for the latest information. For more information on the storm's track, and the latest forecast, please visit the National Hurricane Center's website at www.nhc.noaa.gov, or the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/nyc.
AWS Service Providers, please consider messaging your clients to consider the following:
Power Outages
If a client is affected by an outage: Report it at www.coned.com/ReportOutage or call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633), or if you have a speech or hearing disability, report outages to 1-800-642-2308.
- Remember to charge cell phone batteries, gather supplies, and turn your refrigerator and freezer to a colder setting. If you lose power, items that need refrigeration will stay cooler for longer.
- Make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios or televisions are working. Keep extra batteries.
- If you lose power and have a disability, access and functional needs or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and need immediate assistance, dial 911.
- Do not use generators indoors.
- Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.
To Prepare for an Outage:
Make sure to charge all medical and communications devices including cell phones.
Contact your support network and alert them if you think you may need assistance in the event of an outage.
Review your emergency plan and ensure you have an emergency Go Bag in case you have to leave your home.
For more information on building an emergency plan, please visit: http://www.nyc.gov/myemergencyplan
During an Outage
In the event of an outage, when using a generator be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, local building codes, and ensure that it's in a well-ventilated area.
If you rely on oxygen, in the event that you do not have access to oxygen, call 911 for immediate assistance.
Please stay safe. Never go near or touch a fallen power line. If you see a downed wire, call 1-800-75-CONED immediately.
Remember:
Do not use generators indoors.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to prevent food spoilage.
If a client is having a life-threatening medical emergency and needs immediate assistance, please dial 911.
Safety Tips
- If you live in a flood-prone area, keep materials such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber on hand to help protect your home.
- If you have a disability or access or functional need, make sure your plan addresses how your needs may affect your ability to evacuate, shelter in place, or communicate with emergency workers. Arrange help from family, friends, or service providers if you will need assistance.
- When outside, avoid walking and driving through flooded areas. As few as six inches of moving water can knock a person over. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. One or two feet of water can carry away a vehicle.
- Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
- If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that tree limbs, leaves, or water can cover downed wires from view. Always stay away from downed power lines because they could be live.
- Report downed wires immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you are in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.
Prepare For Strong Winds
Strong winds can bring down trees and power lines and can turn unsecured objects into dangerous projectiles. To protect against the hazard of strong winds, New Yorkers should:
- Check the area immediately surrounding your home for unsecured objects or potentially dangerous conditions. Tree limbs, garbage cans, yard debris, or other materials that can be moved by the wind are potential projectiles aimed at your home or parked vehicle.
- Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools and toys.
- Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
- Close up and secure patio furniture.
- Secure retractable awnings.
- Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.
Stay Informed
Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels including Notify NYC, the Citys 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 NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
The Advance Warning System (AWS) alerts organizations who work with people with disabilities and access and functional needs to various types of hazards and emergencies in New York City that may affect people's independence and daily lives. Participating organizations receive public preparedness and emergency information that they can relay to their clients and other similar agencies. If you work for an organization that serves people with disabilities or access and functional needs you can subscribe for AWS Alerts at the following link: https://www.advancewarningsystemnyc.org/aws
Please do no reply to this e-mail. This mailbox is not monitored. To make changes or receive assistance with your account, please login to the AWS website or contact us through the AWS website. If you think you or someone else may have an emergency, call 911 immediately.