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Press Release
For Immediate Release
#25-18
April 23, 2018 – The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency conducted a walking tour to celebrate the launch of the Red Hook IFPM Mural Arts Program. The Red Hook IFPM Mural Arts Program was created to engage community stakeholders in the process of making their communities more resilient during and after coastal flooding. The program held an open competition for artists to submit designs for consideration. A committee of representatives from Red Hook community-based art organizations and City agencies selected ten winners from a pool of over 40 submissions from artists all over the world. The designs are being used to decorate HESCO barriers, installed as part of the Interim Flood Protection Measures (IFPM) program and are located along Beard and Reed Streets in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
“The Interim Flood Protection Measures program is essential because it allows the City to take necessary steps to protect people living in vulnerable low-lying areas,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “The Red Hook IFPM Mural Arts Program allows residents to become engaged in the process of keeping their neighborhoods safe.”
Through a comprehensive risk assessment process, Red Hook was identified as a priority site to receive flood protection through the Interim Flood Protection Measures program in August 2017. The Red Hook Neighborhood IFPM design includes a combination of semi-permanent barriers with various openings that allow for normal site operations. These storm openings are then closed when storm surge from a coastal storm is forecast using “Just in Time” (JIT) quickly deployable protection measures.
Interim Flood Protection Measures (IFPM)
Beginning in 2016, the Interim Flood Protection Measures program is designed to protect critical facilities, infrastructure, and low-lying areas in New York City from coastal flooding during a hurricane through the deployment of temporary, deployable measures. Interim flood protection measures provide a temporary level of protection while permanent mitigation is constructed at the site. The City worked with engineering consultants and agencies to evaluate flood risks at 43 sites, and determined what measures would best reduce flood risk while having the smallest impact on the vulnerable location.
Temporary measures used include:
NYC residents living in coastal areas expected to experience minor or moderate coastal flooding should take the following preparedness steps:
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#25-18
NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TOURS MURAL INSTALLATION IN RED HOOK AS PART OF INTERIM FLOOD PROTECTION MEASURES PROGRAM
Community stakeholders selected the winners of the Red Hook IFPM Mural Arts Program Competition
April 23, 2018 – The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency conducted a walking tour to celebrate the launch of the Red Hook IFPM Mural Arts Program. The Red Hook IFPM Mural Arts Program was created to engage community stakeholders in the process of making their communities more resilient during and after coastal flooding. The program held an open competition for artists to submit designs for consideration. A committee of representatives from Red Hook community-based art organizations and City agencies selected ten winners from a pool of over 40 submissions from artists all over the world. The designs are being used to decorate HESCO barriers, installed as part of the Interim Flood Protection Measures (IFPM) program and are located along Beard and Reed Streets in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
“The Interim Flood Protection Measures program is essential because it allows the City to take necessary steps to protect people living in vulnerable low-lying areas,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “The Red Hook IFPM Mural Arts Program allows residents to become engaged in the process of keeping their neighborhoods safe.”
Through a comprehensive risk assessment process, Red Hook was identified as a priority site to receive flood protection through the Interim Flood Protection Measures program in August 2017. The Red Hook Neighborhood IFPM design includes a combination of semi-permanent barriers with various openings that allow for normal site operations. These storm openings are then closed when storm surge from a coastal storm is forecast using “Just in Time” (JIT) quickly deployable protection measures.
Interim Flood Protection Measures (IFPM)
Beginning in 2016, the Interim Flood Protection Measures program is designed to protect critical facilities, infrastructure, and low-lying areas in New York City from coastal flooding during a hurricane through the deployment of temporary, deployable measures. Interim flood protection measures provide a temporary level of protection while permanent mitigation is constructed at the site. The City worked with engineering consultants and agencies to evaluate flood risks at 43 sites, and determined what measures would best reduce flood risk while having the smallest impact on the vulnerable location.
Temporary measures used include:
- HESCO® barriers: fabric-lined wire mesh cubes filled with compacted sand.
- Tiger Dams™: giant water-filled flexible fabric tubes designed to withstand floodwaters that are deployed "just in time."
- Flood barriers: aluminum-based "walls" that can be placed in doorways, garages, and other open areas into a building that are deployed "just in time."
NYC residents living in coastal areas expected to experience minor or moderate coastal flooding should take the following preparedness steps:
- Prepare a Go Bag — a collection of things you would want if you have to leave in a hurry — for every member of your household, including pets.
- 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 emergency plan.
- 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.
- Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program. To sign up for Notify NYC, download the free mobile application, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
- 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.
- Charge cell phone batteries.
- Turn your refrigerator and freezer to a colder setting. If you lose power, items that need refrigeration will stay cooler for longer.
- If you lose power & have a disability/access needs or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) & need immediate assistance, dial 911.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nancy Silvestri/Tashawn Brown (718) 422-4888
STAY CONNECTED: Twitter: @NotifyNYC (emergency notifications)
@nycoem (emergency preparedness info)
Facebook: /NYCemergencymanagement