For Immediate Release
#28-20

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT'S LATEST ‘PREP TALK’ PODCAST: PREPARING FOR COASTAL STORM SEASON DURING THE PANDEMIC

#PrepTalkNYC {Click to listen to episode 53}

July 31, 2020 — As New York City heads into peak hurricane season, New York City Emergency Management’s podcast, “Prep Talk,” takes a closer look at hurricane preparedness in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the latest episode, Jacob Cooper, NYC Emergency Management’s deputy commissioner for readiness, shares important tips to help New Yorkers prepare for a coastal storm and highlights key changes to the City’s sheltering plans as hurricane season converges with COVID-19.

Even though the Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through November 30, peak hurricane season in New York City is from August through October. NYC Emergency Management plans and prepares year-round for coastal storms and has a comprehensive Coastal Storm Plan that includes detailed procedures for evacuating and sheltering residents. Areas of the city subject to storm surge flooding are divided into six evacuation zones (1 through 6). During a coastal storm, an evacuation order may be issued for those living in hurricane evacuation zones. To find out if you are one of the three million New Yorkers living in a hurricane evacuation zone, visit NYC.gov/knowyourzone or call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115).

New Yorkers can access additional resources on coastal storms and hurricane preparedness by visiting NYC Emergency Management's Plan for Hazards: Coastal Storms & Hurricanes webpage. You can listen to the latest episode on SoundCloud, iTunes, and Spreaker.

Profile

As deputy commissioner for readiness, Jacob Cooper is responsible for overseeing the agency’s planning, training, and exercises. Cooper joined NYC Emergency Management as an emergency preparedness coordinator in 2002 after four years at the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Cooper is a graduate of the National Preparedness Leadership Institute at Harvard University and received a master’s in public administration from Binghamton University and a bachelor’s degree from Alfred University.

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT: Omar Bourne (718) 422-4888

STAY CONNECTED: Twitter:   @NotifyNYC (emergency notifications); @nycemergencymgt (emergency preparedness info); Facebook: /NYCemergencymanagement