Hurricane Preparedness

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    • Hurricane Evacuation to learn about what to do during hurricane evacuations, including transportation options
    • Severe Weather to learn how to prepare for various weather events
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    You can get information about hurricane preparedness, including:

    • Hurricane evacuation zones and centers
    • What to include in your emergency supply kit and Go Bag
    • How to create an emergency plan

    Hurricane evacuation zones are areas that may be affected by storm surge flooding. The City uses data from the National Weather Service, topographic maps, and actual events to define areas that are most at risk.

    During coastal storms, evacuation areas are identified by the assigned zone.

    You can find out:

    • If you live in a hurricane evacuation zone
    • The hazards you may face from a hurricane
    • How to prepare for a hurricane
    • Locations of hurricane evacuation centers

    Look up your hurricane evacuation zone and find evacuation centers near you.

    If you need to evacuate and can’t stay at a hotel or with family or friends, you can stay at an emergency evacuation center.

    Evacuation centers will be set up in schools, City buildings, and places of worship. Family members or members of your emergency support network can come with you. Many evacuation centers are wheelchair accessible.

    Evacuation centers provide basic food, water, and supplies but you should be prepared to bring a Go Bag with special medical equipment and items that you may need.

    Locations are subject to change depending on the emergency. 

    Medical Conditions and Equipment at Centers

    Evacuation centers have a limited ability to provide medical services. If you are sick or have a serious medical condition, go to a hospital instead of a center.

    If you need mobility aids, oxygen tanks, or other medical equipment, bring it with you to the evacuation center. You will probably be taken to a Special Medical Needs Evacuation Center.

    Refrigeration for medication will only be provided at accessible evacuation centers. If possible, bring a small cooler or ice pack so that you can keep your medicine cold.

    Personal Electronic Use at Centers

    Evacuation centers will provide access to charging stations for electronic devices. You will be given priority if you need to charge medical or other equipment.

    The City is not responsible for items or devices that are left unattended.

    Evacuation Guidance for People with Disabilities

    If possible, make arrangements with friends, family, or neighbors before weather conditions become severe. 

    If an evacuation order is in effect for your area, stay with family or friends if possible and use shelters as a last resort. Check and see if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or have people in their home at higher risk for serious illness. If they have symptoms or people at higher risk in their home, make other arrangements.

    Most evacuation centers do not have special equipment, such as oxygen and mobility aids. Some of them will be able to address special needs but have a limited ability to provide medical services. If you are sick or have a serious medical condition, go to a hospital instead of a center.

    Evacuation centers will take pets and service animals, but you must bring supplies and food for them. Carriers are strongly recommended to contain pets in a crowded environment. 

    Get more information about emergency preparedness.

    Everyone in your household should have a Go Bag; a collection of things you would want if you have to leave in a hurry. Your Go Bag should be sturdy and easy to carry, like a backpack or a small suitcase on wheels. You'll need to customize your Go Bag for your personal needs.

    Pack your Go Bag with the following items:

    • Bottled water and nonperishable food, such as granola bars
    • Copies of your important documents in a waterproof container (e.g., insurance cards, Medicare/Medicaid cards, photo IDs, proof of address, marriage and birth certificates, copies of credit and ATM cards)
    • Flashlight, hand-crank or battery-operated AM/FM radio, and extra batteries
    • List of the medications you take, why you take them, and their dosages
    • Contact information for your household and members of your support network
    • Cash, in small bills
    • Notepad and pen
    • Back-up medical equipment (e.g., glasses, batteries) and chargers
    • Aerosol tire repair kits and/or tire inflator to repair flat wheelchair or scooter tires
    • Supplies for your service animal or pet (e.g., food, extra water, bowl, leash, cleaning items, vaccination records, and medications)
    • Portable cell phone chargers
    • Other personal items

    Include items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, including hand sanitizer, and face coverings for each person.

    Keep enough supplies in the home to survive for up to seven days.

    Include such items as:

    • One gallon of drinking water per person per day
    • Nonperishables, ready-to-eat canned foods, and a manual can opener
    • First-aid kit
    • Medications, including a list of the medications you take, why you take them, and their dosages
    • Flashlight or battery-powered lantern
    • Glow sticks
    • Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries, or wind-up radios that do not require batteries
    • Whistle or bell
    • Back-up medical equipment, if possible (e.g., oxygen, medication, scooter battery, hearing aids, mobility aids, glasses, facemasks, gloves)
    • Style and serial numbers of medical devices (such as pacemakers) and usage instructions

    The Ready New York: My Emergency Plan + Hurricanes and New York City is an interactive workbook designed to help New Yorkers, especially those with disabilities and access and functional needs, create an emergency plan. 

    My Emergency Plan walks users through:

    • Establishing a support network
    • Capturing important health information 
    • Evacuation planning
    • Gathering emergency supplies
    • How to prepare for a hurricane, including a map detailing hurricane evacuation zones and routes in New York City

    The Ready New York: Hurricanes and New York City guide is now included in the My Emergency Plan workbook.

    The workbook is available in the following languages:

    • English
    • Spanish
    • Chinese
    • Russian
    • Arabic
    • Bengali
    • French
    • Haitian Creole
    • Italian
    • Korean
    • Polish
    • Urdu
    • Yiddish

    Online

    Download Ready New York: My Emergency Plan.

    By Mail

    Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to request a copy.

    Bulk Requests of More than 50 Copies

    Requests for more than 50 copies must be made either by e-mail using the "Contact NYCEM" link on NYC Emergency Management's website OR by writing to:

    Online

    Contact NYC Emergency Management.

    By Mail

    Ready NY Coordinator
    NYC Emergency Management
    165 Cadman Plaza East
    Brooklyn, NY 11201

    You can get tips on how to place and dispose of your sandbags.

    Sandbag Placement

    It may not be necessary to surround your entire property with sandbags. For most, focusing on doorways and drains may be enough to reduce flood impacts. Place the bags parallel to the direction of potential water flow.

    If stacking them, tamp down on the bags before placing the next row. Don’t place each bag right on top of the one below it; instead, stagger them.

    Sandbag Disposal

    Sandbags that have been exposed to floodwater need to be disposed of immediately and not reused. Floodwater may contaminate sandbags. Wear protective equipment when handling sandbags that have been exposed.

    Do not allow sand to wash into catch basins, which will potentially clog them and make flooding worse in the future.

    Sand that has not gotten wet can also be used as topsoil or general fill material.

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