NYDISnet Alert

NEW YORK CITY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND NYDIS
ADVISE NEW YORKERS OF a TROPICAL STORM WATCH

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) advises New Yorkers that a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for this weekend. NYDIS and OEM remind Houses of Worship and all New Yorkers to take appropriate precautions because high winds and flooding can cause serious risk to your personal safety and essential human services or facilities. Please pay particular attention to the safety and wellness of seniors and those with chronic medical conditions – check-in with them before the storm and after it passes.

Tropical Storm Hanna is expected to affect the New York City area this weekend. With that in mind, we would like to provide you with information on our efforts to prepare the city.

New Yorkers can expect heavy rain, localized flooding, and high winds as Tropical Storm Hanna moves along the east coast this weekend. A Tropical Storm Watch is currently in effect for New York City, which means tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 24 to 36 hours. Additionally, a Flood Watch has been issued for New York City from Saturday morning to Sunday morning.

Rain will begin late Friday and continue through early Sunday morning, with rainfall totals reaching up to six inches. Winds of 35 to 45 miles per hour, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour, will affect the New York City area late Saturday afternoon.

The City’s Emergency Operations Center will be activated Saturday morning as of 8 AM and remain open until Tropical Storm Hanna has passed and City operations have returned to normal.

Among other measures the City is taking to prepare for Tropical Storm Hanna:

The City’s Flash Flood Plan has been activated.
OEM has been in contact with more than 20 City agencies and partners to ensure they are equipped to respond.
Hospitals and nursing homes have been advised to check their back-up generators.
The City’s 63 Community Emergency Response Teams have been put on notice and are ready to respond as needed.
The City has activated the Advance Warning System, which alerts human services agencies who serve the special needs community.

Please also consider:

Checking on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially seniors and people with special needs, who may need help when preparing for the storm.
Make sure that you are able to monitor the situation using radio and other news media.
Refer to OEM’s Ready York Guides for personal preparedness actions that you and your family can take before the storm.
Read more about coastal storms and NYC.
Learn more about flash flooding.

This is important information so please pass this message to your partners, staff, and through your various communications networks.

STORM UPDATE
Tropical Storm Hanna is moving toward the northwest near 20 mph. a turn toward the north is expected later today...with a turn toward the northeast and an increase in forward speed expected on saturday. on the forecast track...the center of hanna will be near the southeast coast of the united states this afternoon and tonight.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph with higher gusts. only slight strengthening is forecast prior to landfall, although it is still possible for hanna to become a hurricane. weakening is expected after landfall.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 980 mb 28.94 inches. a tropical storm watch is in effect. a flood watch is in effect from saturday morning through sunday morning.

STORM SURGE AND STORM TIDE.
Coastal storm surge flooding of 2 to 3 feet above normal tide levels is expected as hanna passes just south and east of long island saturday night. we currently are in a period of neap tides, which results in low astronomical tides. as a result significant coastal flooding is not expected at this time. however high seas and rough surf could result in slightly higher water levels, and some splash over especially around the time of high tide.

THE TIMES OF HIGH TIDE ARE AS FOLLOWS...

AT SANDY HOOK...
HIGH TIDE IS AT 1249 AM AND 115 PM SATURDAY...AND AT 139 AM SUNDAY.

AT THE BATTERY...
HIGH TIDE IS AT 1235 AM AND 101 PM SATURDAY...AND AT 125 AM SUNDAY.

AT EAST ROCKAWAY INLET...
HIGH TIDE IS AT 1242 AM AND 108 PM SATURDAY...AND AT 132 AM SUNDAY.

AT JONES INLET...
HIGH TIDE IS AT 1229 AM AND 1255 PM SATURDAY...AND AT 119 AM SUNDAY.

...WINDS...
At the point of closest approach over eastern long island and far southeast connecticut...hanna is expected to have sustained winds of 50 mph with gusts to 60 mph...mainly east of the center. if the storm moves as forecast...rain bands northwest of the center will likely produce wind gusts up to 45 mph.

...INLAND FLOODING...
There will be two periods of heavy rain this weekend. the first will occur late tonight with an inch or two of precipitation expected. the second...as hanna passes nearby...will occur saturday afternoon and night...resulting in an additional 3 to 6 inches of rain. higher amounts are possible where rain bands are the most persistent. this amount of rain will likely result in significant rises on area rivers...streams and creeks...as well as moderate flooding of low lying...poor drainage and urban areas.

be prepared to move to higher ground if flooding begins to occur. do not drive through flood waters. if you encounter any flooding while driving...turn around.

...TORNADOES...
Isolated tornadoes will be possible east of the track of hanna. this will keep the threat of tornadoes and waterspouts mainly over the ocean waters...and possibly the twin forks of long island.