Council Member Van Bramer Helps Prepare Community For Hurricane Irene-Update

 

Hurricane Irene Update: Saturday, August 27, 11:30 AM

As promised, I wanted to provide a further update on the storm and preparations for it. Yesterday my staff and I handed out over 1,000 flyers at the Vernon-Jackson subway stop to alert residents in Zone A that an evacuation order was issued for parts of Hunters Point/Long Island City. We also visited the buildings in the affected zone making certain flyers were posted and distributed. Last night I toured Newcomers High School, one of our three evacuation centers. It is open and ready to accept those who wish to stay there.

This morning Mayor Bloomberg held a press conference about continuing preparations for Hurricane Irene. At that press conference, the Mayor stressed once again that all residents in Zone A must be evacuated as soon as possible, and certainly no later than 5:00 PM today. However, it is critically important to note that MTA service will cease at 12:00 PM today. It has also started to rain and will progressively worsen throughout the day.

The evacuation centers closest to our Zone A areas are:

Newcomers High School (28-01 41st Ave.)

Aviation High School (45-30 36th St.)

W.C. Bryant High School (48-10 31st Ave.)

I also participated in a conference call this morning with Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson to discuss specific plans and responses for Queens, including the neighborhoods in our district. Those areas in Hunters Point/LIC that are in Zone A must evacuate. In addition to the dangers inherent in a tidal surge and subsequent flooding the City is concerned that power and elevator service in high rise towers could be compromised. It is therefore important for residents in the Zone A high rise towers in Hunters Point/LIC to heed these warnings. In addition the City has stated that windows in higher floors may be at increased risk for blowing in.

I again raised concerns about our NYCHA developments, particularly Queensbridge and Ravenswood which are close to Zone A and the East River. The Mayor announced this morning that elevator service in NYCHA developments in Zone A will stop operating today. However, elevator service in Queensbridge, Ravenswood and the Woodside Houses should continue as NYCHA staff are on site and monitoring the storm. I will continue to press the City on its plans for our NYCHA developments.

We continue to be concerned about flooding and trees falling throughout the district. I have asked the Parks Department and the Mayor’s Office to send crews out to conduct emergency pruning so damage from falling tress can be reduced to the extent possible.

Our office is open today to receive calls and concerns, but we will close when the storm appears to be approaching. You can call our district office at (718) 383-9566 and continue to email me at jvanbramer@council.nyc.gov as well as reaching out to us via Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/jimmyvanbramer) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/jimmyvanbramer).

I will be touring the district today for as long as it is safe to do so and will be in the district throughout the storm and its aftermath. I have been and will continue to be in regular contact with the Mayor’s Office and various City agencies. As a reminder, please find some helpful guidelines to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property during this storm at the end of this update.

Let’s all take this very seriously and prepare for the worst while hoping for the best – better to be prepared than not. Stay safe and I will continue to update you on the storm.

 

Sincerely,
Jimmy Van Bramer
Council Member, 26th District
 
 
 
OEM’s Hurricane Guide
To secure your home if a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued:
· Bring inside loose, lightweight objects, such as lawn furniture, garbage cans, and toys.
· Anchor objects that will be unsafe to bring inside, like gas grills or propane tanks. Turn off propane tanks.
· Shutter windows securely and brace outside doors.
· Place valuables in waterproof containers or plastic bags.
 
Help Others Prepare
· Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially those with disabilities or special needs, and assist them with their preparation and evacuation.
· If you live outside an evacuation zone, offer to shelter family and friends who may need to evacuate.
 
If Asked to Evacuate, Do So Immediately
The City will communicate specific instructions about which areas of the city should evacuate through local media. If the City Issues an Evacuation Order for Your Area: Evacuate immediately. Use public transportation if possible.
 
If you are going to an evacuation center, pack lightly, and bring:
· Your Go Bag
· Sleeping bag or bedding
· Required medical supplies or equipment
· Let friends or relatives know where you are going.
 
What about my pets?
· Make sure your disaster plan addresses what you will do with your pet if a hurricane requires you to leave your home.
· Plan to shelter your pet at a kennel or with friends or relatives outside the evacuation area.
· Be sure you have supplies ready for your pet in the event of an evacuation, including food, a leash, a muzzle, proof of shots, and a cage or carrier.
 
Account for your special needs
· Consider your capabilities and make sure your preparedness plan addresses how your special needs affect your ability to evacuate and shelter.
· Determine if you will need assistance and arrange help from friends, family, or neighbors.
· Consider additional supplies and equipment that you may need to bring with you, such as medicine, icepacks, medical devices, and backup equipment. Bring food for your dietary needs.
· Include additional time and evaluate your transportation options.
 
IF YOU LIVE IN AN EVACUATION ZONE
 
Prepare A Disaster Plan
Develop a plan with your household members that outlines what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate if a hurricane strikes New York. If you rent your home, renter’s insurance will insure the items inside your apartment. If you are a homeowner, make sure your home is properly insured — flood and wind damage are not covered in a basic homeowner’s policy.
 
Know Where You Will Go
The City strongly recommends evacuees stay with friends or family who live outside evacuation zone boundaries. For those who have no other shelter, the City will open hurricane shelters throughout the five boroughs.
 
To ensure efficient use of resources, the City will ask all evacuees to report to an evacuation center. Once at the evacuation center, evacuees will either be assigned to a hurricane shelter in the same facility or transported to an associated hurricane shelter by bus.
 
Every household member should have a small Go Bag — a collection of items you may need during an evacuation packed in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack. A Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry.
 
Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit
You may be instructed to shelter in place (stay at home) during a hurricane. Keep enough supplies in your home to survive for at least three days.
 
If you do not live in an evacuation zone
All areas of the city could face hurricane-related hazards such as high winds, flooding, tornadoes, and loss of utilities. You may be instructed to shelter in place (stay at home) for several days until the hurricane passes.
 
If you live in a high-rise apartment building
Residents of high-rise apartment buildings may face special risks from hurricanes even if they live outside evacuation zone boundaries. If you live in a high-rise building outside an evacuation zone, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor. If you live in a high-rise building located in an evacuation zone, heed evacuation orders.