New York City’s Emergency Management Department provided the following update on Thursday evening, Sept. 2. on its recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Ida’s arrival in New York City. Officials said they are continuing to coordinate the interagency response to what they said was historic citywide flooding, as reported by Norwood News. 

 

They said several City agencies, including the FDNY, NYPD, the Departments of Environmental Protection, Parks, Buildings, Transportation, the New York City Housing Authority, and Emergency Management, continue to respond to hazards caused by the storm, and are also working with partners like Con Edison and the American Red Cross in Greater New York to respond to affected communities throughout the five boroughs.

According to the National Weather Service, Central Park broke its all-time 1-hour rainfall rate with 3.15 inches of rain recorded between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Wednesday. Central Park also received 7.19 inches of rain by Thursday morning, making it the fifth-largest daily rainfall in the past 150 years.

 

The remnants of Ida dumped over seven inches of rain in the Bronx, according to various media reports.

 

The rainfall also marked the first time the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency for New York City, as reported, and the administration declared a local state of emergency on Wednesday night due to the extreme weather conditions.

At 11.11 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2, State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi told residents the concurrent state of emergency at state level still remains in effect, saying, “As a reminder, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a State of Emergency for New York last night that remains in effect. Please continue to exercise caution and avoid all unnecessary travel at this time.”

 

City officials said they mourn the loss of at least 13 New Yorkers who tragically lost their lives during the storm. “New York City experienced some devastating effects from this storm, including damage to homes and loss of life,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner John Scrivani. “Our agencies and partners are working around the clock to make sure all New Yorkers have the resources they need to recover.”

SAFETY TIPS

• New Yorkers are encouraged to report damage to their property by calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or by accessing the Damage Assessment Tool online. The Damage Assessment Tool allows the City to immediately collect damage information from New Yorkers to assess the impact upon affected areas. (Note: Reporting damage with this form is for tracking purposes only. You will not be provided a confirmation number.)
• New Yorkers are advised to stay off the roads and avoid traveling as much as possible so responders can clear areas affected by flooding. Further, New Yorkers should expect continued delays and suspensions in MTA train service. Consider alternate routes and allow for additional travel time. If you must travel, New Yorkers are advised to exercise caution.
• If your car has been relocated, call 311.
• New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

CITY AGENCY & PARTNER ACTIONS

NYC DOT  

• New Yorkers are advised to stay off the roads and avoid traveling as much as possible so responders can clear areas affected by flooding
• Alternate Side Parking is suspended through Wednesday, September 8.
• Staten Island Ferry operating as normal.
• Crews are clearing arterial highways and storm drains as needed.

 

FDNY  

• FDNY conducted hundreds of rescues overnight, rescuing more than 500 New Yorkers from flooded roadways, buildings, and subway stations.
• FDNY members are continuing dewatering operations.
• FDNY is assisting with clearing downed trees and supporting other task forces as needed.

 

NYCHA  

• NYCHA has activated its emergency command center.
• Staff are assessing damage, especially downed trees.
• NYCHA continues to address complaints of water conditions inside apartments, especially in the South Bronx.

 

NYC PARKS 

• Maintenance and operation teams have been addressing storm impacts, and noted significant flooding at Van Cortlandt, Flushing-Meadows, and Prospect Parks.
• There are closures and delayed openings of some outdoor pools, etc.
• NYC Parks reports about 400 downed trees citywide.

 

NYPD  

• The NYPD is surveying areas reporting the greatest effects from the storm, and is working with its aviation unit to canvas the city.
• The Department safely evacuated 714 straphangers during the storm.
• The Department has 44 tow trucks operating with assistance from the State Police; there are stranded vehicles throughout the city that need to be removed.

 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (DEP)  

• Crews on the ground 24/7 to alleviate ponding and flooding, and are recording any sinkholes and fallen trees.
• Crews are providing drinking water and removing waste water.
• DEP’s customer service borough offices are currently closed due to Wednesday night’s storm. New Yorkers looking to get in touch with DEP’s customer service team online can use the following form: https://on.nyc.gov/3hUh5Ij.

Business Owners impacted by the storm who need assistance can fill out an intake form at http://smallbiz.nyc and contact their local Chamber of Commerce.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS (DOB)

• There are approximately 27 teams in the field conducting inspections and are coordinating efforts with the City’s Damage Assessment Task Force.
• Crews are inspecting locations of fatalities. A number of them are being investigated as potential illegally-converted properties.
• DOB Customer Service Windows are scheduled to reopen on Friday, September 3, 2021, at 8:30 a.m.

 

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 

• The New York City Emergency Management Department activated the City’s Emergency Operations Center in response to the flash flooding event and continues to coordinate the interagency response on scene. City agencies continue to operate throughout the five boroughs, especially neighborhoods most impacted by flooding.
• The agency continues to hold interagency calls with local, state, and federal agency partners, elected officials, as well as nonprofit and private-sector partners.

CON EDISON 

• Con Edison crews are responding and restoring power to any customers affected by outages.  
• There are multiple feeder contingencies throughout the electric system. They are not causing outages at this time.
• Voltage reductions have been made in some areas of the city to help conserve energy.
• Con Edison reminds communities to stay clear of downed wires and flooded structures.

 

President Biden has approved the emergency declaration for New York, unlocking federal resources to help with relief efforts 👇#Ida @NY1 pic.twitter.com/lIE0q9dXsk

— Kevin Frey (@KevinFreyTV) September 3, 2021

 

According to the power outage map on Con Edison’s website as of Sept. 3 at 3.51 a.m., 319 Bronxites remained without power while power had been restored to 465,691 customers across the borough. 

 

AMERICAN RED CROSS IN GREATER NEW YORK

• American Red Cross in Greater New York is providing temporary shelter for those affected by the storm.
• The organization is also providing health, emotional support and casework assistance to displaced residents.
• Additionally, Red Cross teams are assessing damage across NYC to identify additional households in need of help and to deliver flood cleanup supplies.

 

On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration unlocking funding for New York State for relief efforts, further to a request from Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York congressional delegation.

 

For previous traffic updates and alerts by NYC Department of Buildings and NYC Department of Sanitation, which may still be applicable, click here.

 

City Councilman Eric Dinowitz provided the following updates on Sept. 2 on actions residents can take in the wake of the storm.

If there is flooding on a street or sidewalk, you can report it here: https://t.co/JJZpO2acXg

— Council Member Eric Dinowitz (@EricDinowitzNYC) September 2, 2021

City trees and branches may have fallen to the ground on public property. For more information and to request tree removal, you can visit: https://t.co/YEyBdvamI4

— Council Member Eric Dinowitz (@EricDinowitzNYC) September 2, 2021

If property damage was caused by a City tree, you can visit: https://t.co/T5h3BZMD8W

— Council Member Eric Dinowitz (@EricDinowitzNYC) September 2, 2021

Flooded basements may lead to a leak or rupture on residential oil tanks. Call @NYSDEC Spill hotline at 800-457-7362.

For more information on home heating oil spills, you can call 311 or visit: https://t.co/QuFjx1Z1Fp

— Council Member Eric Dinowitz (@EricDinowitzNYC) September 2, 2021

Report a power outage or blackout here: https://t.co/n8HzQGbYqA

— Council Member Eric Dinowitz (@EricDinowitzNYC) September 2, 2021

On Saturday, Sept. 4, Metro-North President Cathy Rinaldi announced the return to service on several MNR lines following the massive storm that severely impacted Westchester, Putnam and Duchess counties earlier this week.

• Harlem Line: Resumed service Friday; full service expected for Tuesday morning rush.
• New Haven Line: Resumed service Friday; full service expected for Tuesday morning rush.
• Danbury Line: Service is expected to be restored tomorrow.
• New Canaan Line: Service is expected to be restored tomorrow.
• Hudson Line: Crews are working toward establishing limited service early next week.
• Wassaic Line: Crews are working toward establishing limited service early next week.
• Waterbury Line: Substitute bus service associated with ongoing infrastructure work will resume.
• Pascack Valley Line: Resumed limited service.
• Port Jervis Line: Resumed service Friday.

 

Company officials said crews continue to work to clear flooding and mudslide conditions and remove downed trees and debris. Crews were able to clear more than 10 inches of water at two critical substations that allowed Metro-North to run electric service Friday morning.

 

“We’ve got excellent employees working to restore service as quickly as possible following unprecedented rainfall throughout the region,” said Metro-North Rinaldi. “I cannot thank our crew members enough for the heroic work they have been doing to get the region moving again. Part of our priorities as an organization is to be prepared for climate change and to make the necessary steps to harden our infrastructure.”

 

Metro-North will cross-honor tickets between the Hudson and Harlem Lines and waiving the surcharge for on-board fares.

 

Since conditions can change, and customers should check MTA.info or use the MYmta.app or Metro-North’s TrainTime app prior to traveling.