The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning, a flash flood watch and wind advisory for NYC, with sustained winds 40 to 50 mph, and gusts up to 60 mph. The heaviest rain is expected from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. New York City Emergency Management has issued a travel advisory from Tuesday morning through Tuesday night as there the potential for heavy rainfall and strong winds that may reduce visibility and create hazardous travel throughout Tuesday. 

Heavy rains and gusty winds could limit visibility and create difficult travel conditions through Tuesday night. Tropical Storm Warning in effect citywide; with heavy rains and strong winds from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the strongest rains and tropical strength winds from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday 

New Yorkers should plan for difficult travel conditions and are advised to exercise caution and consider taking public transportation if they must travel. Those who are able to stay home during the storm are advised to stay indoors. Heavy rains may lead to potential flooding in low-lying areas throughout the city, including lower Manhattan. If you are traveling, avoid flooded areas, turn on headlights, drive slowly, and exercise caution. Consider avoiding or delaying travel until flooding and heavy rain stop. 

      Safety Tips

• 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.
• If you have a disability or access or functional need, make sure your plan addresses how your needs may affect your ability to evacuate, shelter in place, or communicate with emergency workers. Arrange help from family, friends, or service providers if you will need assistance.
• 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.
• If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that tree limbs, leaves, or water can cover downed wires from view. Always stay away from downed power lines because they could be live.
• Report downed wires immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you are in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.

Power Outages

• To prepare for a possible power outage, charge cell phone batteries, gather supplies, and turn your refrigerator and freezer to a colder setting. If you lose power, items that need refrigeration will stay cooler for longer.
• Make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios or televisions are working. Keep extra batteries.
• If you lose power and have a disability, access and functional needs or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and need immediate assistance, dial 911.
• Do not use generators indoors.
• Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.

Prepare for Strong Winds

Strong winds can bring down trees and power lines and can turn unsecured objects into dangerous projectiles. To protect against the hazard of strong winds, New Yorkers should:

• Check the area immediately surrounding your home for unsecured objects or potentially dangerous conditions. Tree limbs, garbage cans, yard debris, or other materials that can be moved by the wind are potential projectiles aimed at your home or parked vehicle.
• Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools and toys.
• Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
• Close up and secure patio furniture.
• Secure retractable awnings.
• Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.

Stay Informed about Tropical Storm Isaias

Monitor Notify NYC and local media, the City’s free emergency notification system, though which New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

For information on Tropical Storm Isaias’ track

Visit the National Hurricane Center’s website at www.nhc.noaa.gov, or the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/nyc.

More Resources

NYC Emergency Management has developed some localized coastal storm preparedness materials for the 2020 hurricane season, including the location of hurricane evacuation zones and evacuation centers by borough. Please be advised that information is subject to change. Check this website or call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) for updates.

• All five boroughs
• Bronx
• Brooklyn
• Manhattan
• Queens
• Staten Island

Coastal Storm Preparedness Information for Manhattan