Stay informed with Notify NYC
Each item in the room illustrates how receiving information changes in a disaster.

Stay Informed with Notify NYC

Notify NYC is New York City's free, official emergency communications program. Notify NYC messages allows subscribers to receive alerts and updates about incidents, such as:
  • Road closures
  • Subway delays
  • Fires
  • Weather advisories
  • Power outages
  • Unscheduled parking rule suspensions
  • Public school closures
Subscribers can receive alerts and updates through many formats, including email, text messages, telephone, the Notify NYC website, RSS, Twitter, a mobile application, and American Sign Language videos. You can even specify the ZIP codes that interest you most so you can stay informed about emergencies affecting your workplace, your home neighborhood, your child’s school, or a family member’s home.

Computer/Email/Television/Radio

If the power is out, it is unlikely your internet connection or TV will work. Make sure to check your mobile device for emails or text messages, or turn on your battery-operated AM/FM radio for the latest news.

Sign Up for Notify NYC

Resources

Staying Informed
The storm knocked the power out, and Louie is in the dark.
How Can Louie Find Out What Happened?
Yikes! What happened?
Click the 3 orange items to see if we can learn why the power is out.
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Getting in touch with loved ones
Local phone lines can be congested during a disaster, but alternative forms of communication may still be available. Each item in the room shows possible means of staying connected during a disaster.

Text or tweet

Alternative forms of communication are usually best as local phone lines may be jammed. Text, Twitter or email may be good ways to get a hold of your loved ones.

Out-of-Area Contact

Designate an out-of-area contact that can relay information. Out-of-area calls are usually less jammed, and your out-of-area contact can focus on contacting loved ones.

Write Down Phone Numbers

If your mobile phone battery runs out or cell service is not working, you’ll want to have phone numbers written down.

Resources

CONTACTING LOVED ONES
Phone lines are jammed.
Yabo's partner is working late
and he has not heard from him.
How Can Yabo Contact his partner?
I am worried sick!
Click on the blue items to find the best method of contacting him.
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Pack a Go Bag
Everyone in your household should have a Go Bag — a collection of things you would want if you have to leave in a hurry. Your Go Bag
should be sturdy and easy to carry. Click on the items in the apartment to
learn about what goes in a Go Bag.

What is a Go Bag?

Every household member should assemble a Go
Bag - a collection of items you can use in the event
of an evacuation. Each Go Bag should be sturdy, lightweight and portable, such as a backpack.
A Go Bag should be easily accessible and ready to
go any time.

What goes in a Go Bag

Suggested items include:
  • Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, birth certificates, deeds, photo IDs, etc.)
  • Extra sets of car and house keys
  • Copies of credit and ATM cards and cash
  • Bottled water and nonperishable food, like energy or granola bars
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-operated AM/FM radio and
    extra batteries
  • List of the medications members of your household take and their dosages, or copies of all your prescription slips, with doctors’ names and phone numbers
  • First-aid kit
  • Lightweight raingear and Mylar blanket
  • Contact and meeting place information for your household, and small regional map
  • Child care, pet, or other special items

What is an emergency supply kit?

Keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own, or shelter in place, for up to seven days. If possible, keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container or special cupboard. You should indicate to your household members that these supplies are for emergencies only. Check expiration dates of food and update your kits when you change your clock during daylight-saving times.

What to Pack in an Emergency Supply Kit

Suggested items include:
  • One gallon of drinking water per person per day
  • Nonperishable, ready-to-eat canned foods and manual can opener
  • First-aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-operated AM/FM radio and
    extra batteries
  • Whistle
  • Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach (for disinfecting water ONLY if directed to do so by health officials) and eyedropper (for adding bleach to water)
  • Personal hygiene items: soap, feminine hygiene products, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.
  • Phone that does not rely on electricity
  • Child care supplies or other special care items

Resources

Emergency Supplies
Belinda is relieved because she
has an emergency supply kit
and Go Bag prepared.
What items go in each?
I am fully prepared to evacuate or remain at home.
Click the green items to see what I have prepared.
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Keeping your Family Safe
Develop and practice a disaster plan with your household members to prepare for what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency. Click on each item on this floor to learn about key components
of a family disaster plan.

Meeting Place

Decide where your household will reunite after a disaster. Identify two places to meet: one near your home and another outside your immediate neighborhood, such as a library, fire house, or a friend’s home.

Go Bag

Every household member should assemble a Go Bag — a collection of items you can use in the event of an evacuation. Each Go Bag should be sturdy, lightweight and portable, such as a backpack. A Go Bag should be easily accessible and ready to go any time.

What goes in a Go Bag

Suggested items include:
  • Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, birth certificates, deeds, photo IDs, etc.)
  • Extra sets of car and house keys
  • Copies of credit and ATM cards and cash
  • Bottled water and nonperishable food, like energy or granola bars
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-operated AM/FM radio and
    extra batteries
  • List of the medications members of your household take and their dosages, or copies of all your prescription slips, with doctors’ names and phone numbers
  • First-aid kit
  • Lightweight raingear and Mylar blanket
  • Contact and meeting place information for your household, and small regional map
  • Child care, pet, or other special items

Resources

PREPARING YOUR FAMILY
Ella & Jonsie are home alone.
Damage from the storm makes
the apartment unsafe and
they need to evacuate.
What do they need in order to leave safely?
Don’t worry Jonsie, Mom prepared us for this.
Click the pink items on this floor to learn about key components of a family disaster plan.
Ella, I’m scared!
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Keeping Your Animals Safe
Preparing for your pets is just as important as preparing for yourself. Click on the items in the apartment to learn about what your pets need.

Designate a Friend

Identify a trusted friend, neighbor, or dog-walker to care for your pet in your absence. This person should have a set of your house keys, be familiar with your home and pet, know your emergency plan, and have your contact information.

Pet Go Bag

Create a Go Bag for your pet or service animal.
This should include:
  • A current color photograph of you and your pet together (in case you are separated)
  • Copies of medical records that indicate dates of
  • vaccinations and a list of medications your pet takes and why
  • Proof of identification and ownership, including copies of registration information, adoption papers, proof of purchase, and microchip information
  • Physical description of your pet, including his/her species, breed, age, sex, color, distinguishing traits, and any other vital information about characteristics and behavior
  • Animal first-aid kit, including flea and tick treatment and other items recommended by your veterinarian
  • Food, water, and dishes
  • Collapsible cage or carrier
  • Muzzle and leash
  • Cotton sheet to place over the carrier to help keep your pet calm
  • Comforting toys or treats
  • Litter, litter pan, and scoop
  • Plastic bags for clean-up

Carrier or Leash

Keep your pet’s collar/harness, leash, or carrier in a place where it can be easily found.

Food and Water

Have extra food and water stored in a portable container. If you use wet food, make sure you have pop-up cans or a can opener on hand. Rotate food and water items every six months to avoid expiration.

Pet Resources

PET SAFETY
Spot and his friends' owner is out
of town. A neighbor will come soon
to gather important items left by their owner and help the animals
get to safety.
What do they need to leave safely?
Arf! We need to get
out of here!
Click the purple items to see
what we need.
Meow
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Preparing with disabilities, access and functional needs
If you have a disability or access and functional needs, it is important to have a support network to help you in an emergency. Click on the items in the apartment to learn more about disability, access and functional needs preparations.

Emergency Support Network

Ask at least two people to be in your network—family members, friends, neighbors, caregivers, coworkers, or members of community groups.
Your emergency support network should:
  • Stay in contact during an emergency
  • Keep spare sets of your keys
  • Know where to find your emergency supplies.
  • Know how to operate your equipment or help move you in an emergency.

Go Bag (with special items)

In addition to the standard Go Bag items, you may need these special care items:
  • Aerosol tire repair kits and/or tire inflator to repair flat wheelchair or scooter tires
  • Back-up medical equipment (e.g., glasses, batteries)
  • Contact information for your household and members of your support network
  • Notepad and pen

Medical Information/Prescriptions

If you take medications, make sure to bring them with you. Have extra copies of your prescriptions in case you need refills.

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Resources

SPECIAL NEEDS
Virgil is an older veteran
and needs help evacuating.
What does he need to leave safely?
Oh no!
Because I have special needs my preparation is a bit more complex. Click the yellow items to
see what I need.
Hey Buddy.
I am here to help you.
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YOU ARE NOT QUITE FINISHED
You have completed
0 of the 6 floors in the building.
SEE THE RESIDENTS FROM THE COMPLETED FLOORS
CONGRATULATIONS!
New Yorkers made it safely through the storm because everyone stayed informed through Notify NYC and were properly prepared.
Refresh your browser to restart the challenge.
SEE ALL OF THE RESIDENTS SAFE & SOUND
The outside of the corner store.
Staying Informed
Thanks to Notify NYC, I received updated information about the storm.
Staying Informed
My floor is not yet complete. Visit me to learn about getting information during a disaster.
Contacting Loved Ones
Knowing about alternate methods
of communication helped me
contact my partner.
Contacting Loved Ones
My floor is not yet complete.
Visit me to learn about
contacting loved ones.
Preparing Your Family
Because our family had a designated meeting place, we reconnected
safe and sound.
Preparing Your Family
Our floor is not yet complete. Visit us to learn about family preparation.
Emergency Supplies
Since I had supplies packed in a Go Bag, I was able to evacuate quickly with things I might need.
Emergency Supplies
My floor is not yet complete.
Visit me to learn about
preparing a Go Bag.
Preparing Your Pets
Because our owner made arrangements with a friend, we are safe.
Preparing Your Pets
Our floor is not yet complete. Visit us to learn about pet preparation.
Special Needs
Because I established a personal support network I had someone
there to help me.
Preparing for Your Needs
My floor is not yet complete. Visit me to learn about disability, access and functional needs preparation.
The outside of the corner store. The power is back on and things are safe again.