Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Bradford E. Billet, OEM (212) 442-9260
Mayor Giuliani said, "The National Hurricane Center has just issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the New York Metropolitan Area, including the City's five boroughs. To make sure that the City is properly prepared, we will open the Emergency Operations Center at midnight. The Center is staffed by numerous City agency personnel and representatives from private organizations such as the Red Cross, Lilco and Con Edison. As of 8:00 A.M. Saturday morning, nine storm reception centers will open throughout the City -- staffed by personnel from the New York City Police Department, HRA, the Board of Education and the American Red Cross.
"New Yorkers must also exercise common sense and follow a few basic safety tips. If you have elderly, homebound or disabled neighbors, please make sure to check on throughout the storm. And use "911" only in emergencies. If you loose power please call the number on your utility bill. A special storm hotline number will be activated at 6:00A.M. on Saturday and will handle questions about flooding, evacuations, emergency centers and or other special non-emergency needs. The hotline number is: 212-374-2303, " the Mayor concluded.
A Tropical Storm Warning brings the threat of tropical storm conditions within 24 hours including high winds between 39 and 74 miles per hour, very heavy rain that may produce flooding in low lying areas and tidal flooding in coastal areas.
Mr. Hauer said, "New Yorkers who live in flood-prone neighborhoods should be particularly cautious and be prepared to move to higher ground on short notice. Also please remember that downed power lines are deadly and should be completely avoided. This is a dangerous storm and we ask that you cooperate with emergency personnel if required."
The Mayor's Office of Emergency Management urges New Yorkers to take the following precautions to prepare for the potential emergency:
Check to make sure you have on hand the following necessities:Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani cautioned people to use their common sense and not to risk their lives by trying to surf in the dangerous rip tides of the City beaches. The National Weather Service states tides will reach dangerous levels.Take the following precautionary measures:
- A supply of non-perishable food items including water for drinking (1 gallon per person/per day) and sanitary purposes.
- A manually operated can opener.
- Baby supplies (if applicable).
- Plastic garbage bags.
- First aid kit.
- Fire extinguisher.
- Battery powered radio, with extra batteries.
- Any required medication.
- Cash (if power or phone lines are lost, ATM machines and credit cards may be useless).
- Stay tuned to local radio and or television stations for the latest weather and emergency advisories.
- Fill your automobile gas tank, (service stations may be inoperable after the storm).
- Board up windows or protect them with shutters. Wind pressure and flying debris may shatter them.
- Tie down or bring inside outdoor objects that might be blown away. Do not bring propane tanks indoors.
- Moor small watercraft or move to a safe shelter.
- Securely tie down mobile homes and trailers.
- Check on relatives, neighbors and friends who are elderly, disabled or have special needs. Your assistance in helping them make necessary preparations may save their life.
- Be prepared to evacuate if requested to do so by local officials.