As National Preparedness Month ends, we are encouraging New Yorkers to take steps now to prepare for emergencies. By being aware of specific risks and making a plan for each scenario, especially in an era of increased climate disasters, you can help keep yourself and your family safe.
Create an Emergency Checklist
Make a plan to evaluate risks and ensure that your specific needs, and the needs of each family or household member, are accounted for. NYC Emergency Management offers a range of interactive preparedness materials in 13 different languages to guide you through the process. Preparedness is an ongoing conversation, but it’s best to begin tackling this project as soon as possible, before disaster strikes.
Make a Household Disaster Plan
Plan your course of action in case of an emergency, including how you will communicate with one another. Talk through each specific scenario and research available resources and best practices. Research the insurance plans that will cover the emergencies that may impact you. Read the fine print: ensure you’re aware of any loopholes in coverage. The list below is intended as a starting point to help you plan for potential emergencies that can take place in New York City, including:
Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding
- Utilize the NYC Flood Hazard Mapper and the NYC Stormwater Flood Maps. Plug in your address to understand your risk from coastal flooding, excessive rain, and more.
- Know Your Zone: Stay updated on your New York City hurricane evacuation zone and be prepared to evacuate if needed.
- Know what to do before, during, and after a hurricane or storm and how to prepare for and navigate flooding.
Extreme heat
- Prepare your home for extreme heat, including by ensuring you have Air Conditioning available. Learn if you are eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Component (CAC) program, and be on the lookout for open application periods to apply for a free Air Conditioner. During heat advisories, New York City customarily makes cooling centers available.
- Understand the health risks of extreme heat, especially for seniors and people with chronic medical conditions or who take medications that make them more vulnerable to heat.
Winter storms, extreme cold, and blizzards
- Prepare your home for winter conditions, and your car if you have one.
- Ensure your emergency or supplemental heating equipment is safe. If you use a portable space heater, plug it directly into an outlet, not an extension cord. Always turn it off before you sleep, and keep it at least 3 feet away from combustible materials.
- Learn if you are eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for heating assistance.
House and building fires
- Use FDNY’s online Resource Center for information on fire safety and other hazards in nine languages. Knowing common causes of fires and planning for what to do in the event of a fire can be lifesaving.
Disruptions to utility and building amenity services, like gas, electricity, and elevator outages, especially in large buildings
- If you or a member of your household use life-support equipment that requires electricity, register your equipment with ConEdison.
- Learn what to do before, during, and after a utility outage.
- Report any ongoing concerns about elevator operation in your building to 311. In the event of an emergency, call or text 911.
House falls, injuries, and health emergencies
- Keep your home safe! Utilize this list to prevent falls at home.
- Be familiar with resources and news from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Plan for Everybody’s Needs!
Find tips for:
- Emergency safety and access needs for disabled New Yorkers
- Emergency safety for seniors
- Emergency safety for children
- Emergency safety for multilingual New Yorkers
- Emergency safety for pets and service animals
Gather Emergency Household Supplies to Survive for Seven Days
Keep enough supplies in your home to survive for seven days, including water, nonperishable, ready-to-eat canned foods, a first-aid kit, and medication. If you receive sufficient notice of an emergency, order any available refills for essential medication.
Pack a Go Bag!
Prepare a Go Bag with critical supplies, copies of essential documents, a medication list, and all vital items you will need.
Stay Informed!
For all updates, visit NYC.gov/notifynyc to download the Notify NYC app, and follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter in your language! Remember: charge your electronic devices as soon as an emergency alert is issued, so you can be in the know during any emergency.
NYC: We're All in this Together
While everyone’s Emergency Checklist will differ, New Yorkers should know that none of us are alone! For assistance with emergency preparedness and resources, please feel welcome to reach out to our office for support. During an emergency, call or text 911. Emergencies can cause or exacerbate trauma; visit SAMHSA’s Survivors of Disasters Resource Portal.
The Office of the Public Advocate is also working hard to help mitigate disasters in New York City and ensure New Yorkers are safe. From advocating to prevent flooding to ensuring cooling centers are equitably distributed and fighting climate change, New Yorkers can work together to create a resilient city.
By Mirielle Clifford, Digital Media Specialist, Kashif Hussain, Deputy Public Advocate of Infrastructure & Environmental Justice, and Luiza Teixeira-Vesey, Graphic Designer