Twelve years ago, Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey and devastated New York, causing massive flooding in Manhattan and resulting in significant losses. Yesterday, on October 29th, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) and the New York City Emergency Management Bureau (NYCEM) jointly held a roundtable meeting with ethnic minority media to remind the public to strengthen their awareness of disaster preparedness.
On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit land in New Jersey, generating 9-foot waves that affected an area of about 900 miles, with New York City bearing the brunt of the disaster. During high tide, floodwaters surged into downtown Manhattan’s financial district, leading to widespread power outages from downtown to midtown, plunging Manhattan into darkness. This catastrophe not only brought about substantial economic losses but also prompted New Yorkers to reassess the importance of disaster preparedness.
Manuel Castro, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, noted that most communities living in high-risk disaster zones are immigrant communities, emphasizing the importance of receiving crucial information. Regardless of immigrant status, all New Yorkers can access the services and information provided by the city government.
Zach Iscol, the Director of the New York City Emergency Management Bureau, mentioned that New Yorkers can check the “Notify NYC” emergency notification system, which offers versions in 14 languages, including Chinese and American Sign Language. Residents can download the app and call 311 to subscribe to its services.
In order to ensure that residents in high-risk areas receive information and services, the New York City Emergency Management Bureau is collaborating with 37 community organizations to implement a project called “Strengthening Communities,” providing grants and training to assist in developing community emergency plans. Non-profit community organizations are encouraged to apply to participate in this program.
Hurricane season in New York City runs from June 1st to November 30th each year. Historical data indicates that the most likely time for hurricanes to occur in New York City is between August and October, with mid-September being the peak period of risk. During this time, warmer water temperatures and favorable meteorological conditions in the North Atlantic contribute to storm formation.
The city’s Emergency Management Bureau advises that even without hurricanes, New York is still vulnerable to extreme weather, facing different types of storms in various seasons that can lead to severe flooding in coastal areas. New Yorkers need to remain vigilant of the risks posed by winter storms, extreme temperatures, and heavy rainfall, and be prepared for emergencies.
Especially for residents living in coastal areas, Iscol suggests certain protective measures for those residing in basement apartments. It is essential to have proper flood barriers and flood sensors at the entrance, ensuring there is an accessible exit. Additionally, doors should open inward rather than outward to prevent being trapped indoors when floods strike.
Furthermore, basement apartments with bars on windows must ensure they can be opened from the inside in case of emergencies, ensuring there are no obstacles blocking escape routes and being able to hear sensor responses during nighttime flooding to prevent delays in evacuation. Most importantly, pay attention to weather forecasts and warnings to anticipate imminent dangers.