NYC Emergency Management Department (EMS) has issued a travel advisory for the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 9, into Wednesday morning, Jan. 10, as a strong storm is expected to impact the City and region. EMS officials said several National Weather Service (NWS) alerts have been issued for the storm. Widespread power outages are expected, they added.

 

“More inclement weather is expected to hit New York City tomorrow night, bringing with it heavy rains, strong winds, and the potential for flooding,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our city government is prepared to respond to whatever comes our way, but residents should also take the necessary precautions to stay safe and protect their belongings. I encourage all New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC to get the latest information and closely monitor the forecast as this storm approaches.”

 

They said a flood watch is in effect citywide from 6 p.m. Tuesday to midnight on Wednesday, and added that rain may start off light on Tuesday afternoon and turn heavy in the evening, and continuing like that through early Wednesday morning. They said the heaviest rainfall is expected between 9 p.m. Tuesday and 3 a.m. Wednesday with spotty showers possible through about noon on Wednesday.

 

According to EMS, thunderstorms and lightning will also be possible overnight and that the forecast calls for citywide rainfall amounts of about 2 to 3 inches at rates of around 0.5 inch/hour, with higher amounts and rates possible in some areas. EMS officials said a rising high tide on Tuesday evening in New York Harbor and Jamaica Bay may coincide with the onset of heavy rain, resulting in compound flooding along vulnerable roadways near the shoreline, which may result in travel disruptions for the evening commute.

 

They said additional impacts include widespread minor flooding and localized flash flooding of roadways and properties overnight, with residual flooding possible during the Wednesday morning commute. They said areas adjacent to the Bronx River may see significant flooding overnight and Wednesday morning due to snowmelt and heavy rain occurring upstream.

 

NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said, “As New York City prepares for a potent mix of heavy rain, potential flooding, and strong winds from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, our dedicated teams are fully mobilized and working in close coordination with the National Weather Service, city and state agency partners, and local utility companies to ensure a robust and effective response.”

 

He added, “Given that multiple warnings and advisories have been issued citywide, including the potential for significant coastal flooding in southern Queens, I urge all New Yorkers to take this storm seriously, stay updated through Notify NYC, and take necessary precautions.”

 

EMS officials said a high wind warning is in effect for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, and a wind advisory is also in effect for the same time for The Bronx and Manhattan. They said in “warning areas,” southeast winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts of up to 60 mph are expected, highest along the southern coast.

 

They added that in “advisory areas,” winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 50 mph are forecast. They said the period of strongest winds will be from about 10 p.m. Tuesday to 3 a.m. Wednesday. They said potential impacts include scattered to widespread downed trees and limbs, power outages, damage to unsecured items, and difficult travel.

 

EMS officials said a coastal flood warning is also in effect for southern Queens from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday, and a coastal flood advisory is also in effect for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday. They said widespread minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected, with up to 2 to 3 feet of inundation possible along shorelines in the “warning areas,” and 1 to 2 feet of inundation is possible in “advisory areas.”

They said this may result in widespread flooding of roadways, properties, basements and first-floor structures, numerous road closures, and flood-damaged vehicles, especially for southern Queens and Jamaica Bay on Wednesday morning. They said the tide will peak around 7 a.m. Wednesday in New York Harbor and Jamaica Bay, and around 10 a.m. in the Long Island Sound. They added that large, breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet and high surf are also likely at Atlantic-facing beaches, resulting in significant dune erosion and overwash.

 

EMS officials said that in response to the forecasted weather, they have activated the City’s flash flood emergency plan, and have coordinated calls with NWS, partner agencies, as well as utility companies to ensure what they described as “a unified and coordinated response.”

 

EMS officials added that NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) crews have been checking flood-prone locations to ensure the functionality of catch basins and drainage infrastructure. They said DEP is also prepared to manage storm water with cleaned and inspected Bluebelts and monitor flooding on arterial highways.

 

They said NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) is prepared to monitor road conditions at its traffic management center and coordinate with sister agencies for flood conditions, while also assisting in clearing catch basins to prevent roadway flooding. They said all empty tractor-trailers and tandem trailers will be prohibited on MTA bridges due to expected high winds.

 

Additionally, EMS officials said the FDNY is maintaining 111 water-trained rescue units, equipped for various water rescues, and 143 ladder companies with chainsaws for potential wind and tree events. They said FDNY’s special operations command is prepared with high-axel vehicles for high water navigation and additional chainsaw-equipped units.

 

EMS officials added that NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) urges builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their sites. They said DOB officials said random inspections will be conducted, with immediate enforcement action taken if necessary.

 

Meanwhile, they said NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will be checking and servicing hundreds of catch basins citywide, with equipment ready to assist in tree-related incidents, especially if the downed tree taskforce is activated. They said there are currently no anticipated delays in trash/recycling collection and residents may put material out at the curb in accordance with their normal schedule.

 

According to EMS officials, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks) is on alert to monitor tree conditions and is ready to activate the downed tree task force, if necessary.

 

Finally, EMS officials strongly encourage all New Yorkers to take proactive steps to ensure their own safety and support the city’s resilience, as follows:

• Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, they said the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. Sign up for emergency notifications online or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

 

• Allow for extra travel time. They said New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation whenever possible. Expect delays with little to no notice. If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. Turn around, don’t drown. Do not drive into flooded streets or enter flooded subway stations.

 

• If it is safe to do so, they said clear debris from catch basins to prevent street flooding. Be sure to wear gloves & watch out for traffic. You can also report a clogged catch basin by calling 311.

 

• Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.

 

• If you live in a basement apartment, or in a low-lying, flood-prone, or poor drainage area, be prepared to move to higher ground or leave your apartment should conditions worsen.

 

• New Yorkers should report tree conditions including downed trees and limbs to 311; in cases of true emergency, call 911.

 

• To report power outages, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call your power provider immediately to report the outage. Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 800-75-CONED (752-6633) (TTY: 800-642-2308). You can also report an outage online on Con Edison’s website. National Grid’s 24-hour hotline is 718-643-4050 (TTY: 718-237-2857). PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour hotline is 800-490-0025 (TTY: 631-755-6660)

 

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the city’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. Notify NYC is available in 14 languages, including American Sign Language.

 

To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, New Yorkers can visit the Notify NYC website, call 311, or download the free Notify NYC app for your Android or Apple device. You can now text to 692-692, using the code NOTIFYNYC, NOTIFYNYCESP (Spanish), and NOTIFYFRE (French) to be instantly enrolled to receive the highest priority, verified alerts across all the five boroughs.