Environment

Hochul Updates New Yorkers as Significant Flooding Impacts Evening Commute in New York City

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers to exercise extreme caution if traveling on Friday evening, Sept. 29, as more rain falls in the New York City area. It follows six to seven inches of rainfall since Thursday night across the city, as reported, with parts of New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley remaining under a flash flood warning. The latter indicates an imminent threat of fast-moving water that can make travel dangerous and threaten life and safety.

UPDATE Governor Declares State of Emergency Amid Flash Flood Warning, Travel Advisory in Effect Through Sept. 30

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
The New York City Emergency Management Department (EMS) has issued a travel advisory for Friday, Sept. 29 through Saturday morning, Sept. 30. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flood Watch for New York City beginning at 2 a.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday. According to the latest NWS forecast, heavy rain is expected to continue citywide through Saturday night.

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Pilot Program Allowing Some Lightweight E-Bikes in Parks

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the pilot program launched by the City’s Parks’ department in June 2023, as reported, which allows Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes and lighter-weight e-scooters on city park drives and greenways. A map is available at nyc.gov/parks/ebikes, showing the greenways and drives that fall under the program, along with a multilingual survey to obtain feedback.

DOC Issues Advisory to Property Owners, Contractors & Crane Operators Ahead of Severe Weather This Weekend

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Officials from the National Weather Service (NWS) say the New York City area may experience a post-tropical depression with severe weather including heavy rain, flash flooding, and potential wind gusts of up to 45 mph, starting at noon on Saturday, Sept. 23, and continuing through noon on Monday, Sept. 25. Accordingly, NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment.   Department officials said its team will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, they said they


Read More

UPDATE Friends of Devoe Park Launch Art Workshop Series Starting Sept. 16

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Friends of Devoe Park (FoDP), a volunteer group organized in 2017 by CATALYST, a City Parks Foundation subsidiary, is kicking off an art workshop series, coinciding with the back-to-school season. The series comprises two events, the first of which takes place on Saturday, Sept. 16. According to the organizers, around ten local children will receive “a paint and arts bundle” to learn how to paint and later to take home their finished visions of Devoe Park.

UPDATE NYC EMS & Department of Health Issue Advisory to New Yorkers on How to Beat the Heat

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Emergency Management Department (EMS) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOH) are advising New Yorkers to take precautions to beat the heat following a heat advisory by the National Weather Service (NWS), from 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5, until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7. Hot and humid conditions are in the forecast from Tuesday to Thursday, with heat index values in the upper 90s across the City, according to NWS.