 Prepare for Heavy Rain, Flash Flooding Ahead of Monday’s Commute Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) urge New Yorkers to prepare for heavy rain, thunderstorms and localized flash flooding beginning Sunday evening and continuing through Monday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). While the greatest risk of heavy rain and flash flooding is expected during Monday’s morning commute, particularly between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m., more scattered thunderstorms could still trigger localized flash flooding in some areas into Monday evening. The City is urging New Yorkers to take the following precautions: · Limit travel during heavy rain and thunderstorms. If you must travel, exercise caution and never walk or drive through floodwaters. Take public transit whenever possible. · If you live in a basement apartment, ground-floor home or an area that has flooded before, make a plan now. Know where you will go if your home starts to flood, whether that’s a neighbor on a higher floor, a nearby public building or the home of a friend or family member. Safe overnight locations are available in every borough by calling 311. Sign up for basement alerts at on.nyc.gov/basements. · During high winds, stay indoors if possible, avoid downed power lines and trees and secure outdoor furniture, trash bins and other loose items. · Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or trapped by rising water. · Sign up for emergency alerts by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692. · Report downed trees, blocked catch basins and other non-emergency hazards to 311. · Visit nyc.gov/beready for emergency preparedness guidance.Business owners should be mindful of the following information: Know your risk. If your business is in a basement, ground-floor space, or a neighborhood that has flooded before, you are at higher risk. Do not wait for water to enter before you act — by then, it may be too late to leave safely. This is true even during slower rainfall events: water can accumulate gradually and then rise very quickly once it enters a space. Make a plan now. Decide in advance where you will go if your business starts to flood — a neighbor on a higher floor, a nearby public building, or a friend or family member’s home. Know more than one way out and make sure exits like basement doors and windows are clear and easy to open. If you use a mobility device or need help to evacuate, identify a specific person — a neighbor, family member, or building staff — who can assist you before flooding begins. Do not wait until water is entering to ask for help. Install a water alarm or flood sensor. Small water alarms that alert you when water is detected on the floor are widely available for around $10–15. If your business is located in a basement or a flood-prone area, placing one near basement drains or low-lying areas can give you critical early warning — especially overnight or during slow-building rain events when you may not notice water entering until it is already dangerous. Clear drains, gutters, and stairwells before storms. Remove debris from around basement windows, stairwell drains, and gutters so water can flow freely. This matters especially before prolonged rain events, when drainage systems are more likely to back up over time. Get flood insurance. Standard renter insurance policies do not cover flood damage. If you rent or own in a flood-prone area, ask your insurance provider about separate flood coverage. Register if you rely on powered medical equipment. Contact your utility provider. Keep backup batteries charged and accessible. Get your Go Bag ready. Keep a bag nearby with medications, a flashlight, batteries, a portable phone charger, and important documents in waterproof bags. If you use a powered mobility device, hearing aid, or other assistive technology, include extra batteries or a charger for that device. Bring copies of prescriptions and any medical documentation you may need.During a Flash Flood or Excessive Rainfall Event Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or trapped by rising water. If you see heavy rain in the forecast, start thinking about your plan. You do not need to wait for an official alert to act — if you live in a basement or low-lying area, it is always safer to move early. If a Flash Flood Watch is issued, flooding is possible. Stay alert, keep your phone nearby, and be ready to move quickly. If a Flash Flood Warning or Flash Flood Emergency is issued, act immediately: Move to a higher floor right away — do not wait to see water. If you are told to evacuate, go now. Stay on higher ground until the warning expires. The difference between a Warning and an Emergency is severity — both require the same action. Move now. Once you leave a flooded area, do not go back. Floodwater can rise in minutes. What looked safe when you left may not be safe when you return. Wait until officials confirm it is clear. Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater — no matter how shallow it looks. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet. Just 1 foot of water can sweep away a car. Water on streets can conceal open drains, downed power lines, and uneven surfaces. Never drive through flooded roads or underpasses. Turn around and find another route. Never drive around barricades — they are there for your safety. If you have no access to a higher floor, go to a safer nearby location before flooding begins — a NYC government building lobby such as a police precinct or hospital entrance can provide refuge. Avoid entering flooded subway stations. If you are already underground, follow MTA guidance and move to street level if water is entering the station. During prolonged rainfall, station and track flooding can develop gradually — check MTA alerts before traveling. Do not enter flooded lobbies, stations, or underpasses. Even if the water looks passable, do not enter — conditions can change in seconds. Do not touch floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage, chemicals, or debris — and it may carry electrical current from downed lines or submerged equipment. Stay alert at night. Flash flooding can happen while you sleep and heavy rainfall can intensify overnight. Keep your phone near you with alerts turned on and the volume up. Do not touch electrical equipment or appliances if you or the equipment are wet. Prepare for Outages. To gear up for potential power disruptions, keep your cell phones charged, stock up on supplies. If power outages are predicted, consider adjusting your refrigerator and freezer to colder settings to extend the shelf life of perishable items. Ensure that flashlights and battery-operated radios or TVs are functional, keeping extra batteries on hand. If you rely on Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and lose power, dial 911 for immediate assistance, and remember never to use generators indoors. Check on vulnerable individuals in your community, such as older adults and people with disabilities or health conditions and assist them in their preparations. Severe Weather Information All weather information and information about the City’s response to the storm can be found by visiting the NYC Weather Updates website at nyc.gov/snow or by calling 311. Visit the NYC Weather Updates Site Emergency Response & Recovery for Businesses During business emergencies, SBS provides immediate assistance through our Emergency Response Unit (ERU) to help you recover and reopen your doors as quickly as possible. We can: · Provide you with the latest emergency information on street closures, utilities disruptions, security, and demolitions.· Assist with retrieval of valuable items and documents from your business location (if safe to do so.)· Coordinate with the NYC Police Department and other emergency responders to make sure your business location is secure and prevent losses. Learn More About Our Emergency Response & Recovery Services Emergency Impacting Your Business? Contact Our Team Notify NYC New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system, available in 14 languages including ASL. Through NotifyNYC, New Yorkers can sign up to receive phone calls, text messages, and email alerts about severe weather events and emergencies. For the latest updates sign up for emergency alerts by visiting the Notify NYC page, texting ‘NotifyNYC’ to 692-692, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC. Sign Up for Notify NYC Learn How to Prepare Your Business for Emergencies at Our Upcoming Free Webinar From gas leaks and fires, to major hurricanes, flooding, and blackouts, NYC business owners face many challenges that can impact your operations and assets. The NYC Department of Small Business Services is here to help guide you through the start of a business continuity plan. You will learn how to:· Stay in Business: Identify your key business functions, employees, and documents· Protect Your Investments: Understand how to protect your assets and navigate insurance processes· Be Ready for Action: Create a business continuity plan for your business Wed. July 29, 11 a.m. Webinar links will be sent out 2 days prior to each event.      |