How New York City Residents Should Respond When Flooding Strikes

Flood Preparedness and Recovery Essentials New York City Residents Need to Know: There are an estimated 100,000 basement apartments in New York City, and according to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 10 percent of low-income New Yorkers and immigrants live in basement apartments in areas of very high flood risk, which can pose serious dangers. If you have experienced a flood, or are concerned about flood risk, here are some tips to help keep you and your family safe during major storms and floods. Understand the Risks Flooding can be dangerous due to the fact that it can contain sewage, mold, and bacteria that can make people sick, and because it can cause serious injury or even death if it comes into contact with electrical outlets or cords. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) State Climate Summaries predict that New York State will experience unprecedented warming this century. This means that New York State will face higher sea level rise than the global average, more high tide flood days, and wetter winters with more rain than snow. Even if your apartment or basement has never flooded, more intense storms brought on by climate change will put you at a much higher risk of flooding. Risk Self-Check Tools Knowing your flood risk can help you protect your family and prepare for the next storm before it arrives. Here are some Web sites where you can use an address lookup to assess your residential flood risk: If a hurricane is coming, the New York City government may order evacuations of specific areas. You can visit maps.nyc.gov/hurricane or call 311 to find out your evacuation area so you won't be caught off guard if a hurricane hits. What can I do to prepare for a storm before it hits? Before a storm arrives, take some time to prepare: What should I do when a storm or flood comes? When a storm is approaching, the safest thing to do is to take action as soon as possible. Don't wait until floodwaters rush into your apartment to react. At the first sign of flooding, move to higher ground and evacuate before your basement begins to flood. Be alert to the early warning signs of basement flooding, which you may notice: If you see, hear or smell these signs, treat the situation as an emergency and act quickly. If the water begins to rise, do not try to salvage belongings. Get to higher ground immediately. Try to avoid wading through the water, as floodwaters just six inches deep can wash you down. Stay away from electrical outlets, wires and cables, as floodwaters conduct electricity and could electrocute you. If the water rises quickly and you feel trapped, stay calm. Move to the highest position you can reach, such as stairs, a windowsill, or even the top of a piece of furniture. Call 911 and state that you are trapped in the basement (ask for an interpreter if needed). If escape is possible, open a door or window before the water gets too high, but never forcefully push open a door that has strong water pressure. If you cannot get out, keep your head above water and try to get rescuers to find you. You can make noise, glow with a flashlight or bang on walls to help rescuers find you. What should I do after a flood? After the water has receded