The MTA announced it is taking a series of measures to prepare for storms forecast to bring heavy rain and high wind gusts to the New York City area on Monday afternoon, July 12, which are expected to cause flash flooding conditions to the region on Monday from 3 p.m.

 

The MTA is also encouraging customers to take extra precautions when traveling during storms, or avoid unnecessary travel.

 

Demetrius Crichlow, acting senior vice president for subways at New York City Transit said the group wanted to encourage people to be safe and smart. “Our crews are prepared to respond to any and all weather-related events and will have equipment in place to make sure trains continue to run and our riders that must travel can get where they need to go,” he said.

 

Crichlow continued, “If you see an area of a station with standing water, please avoid that specific area. There are several entrances at most stations – it is rare for all to be experiencing flooding. If you need to use a specific entrance or stairwell, please know if water from the street is pouring into a station, it may take drains a few moments to catch up and for water to recede.”

 

Customers who must travel are encouraged to check new.MTA.info for real time service information and sign up for real time service alerts via text or email at MyMTAAlerts.com. Information is also available on each of the MTA-affiliated Twitter feeds, including @NYCTSubway, @NYCTBus, @LIRR and @MetroNorth.

 

MTA officials said all MTA agencies are working closely together and coordinating with local partners to develop precautionary plans should service be impacted. Details of each agency’s storm preparations are provided below.

We’re preparing for significant downpours again today. Please stay alert and watch out for flash flooding after 2 pm. Avoid traveling during severe downpours if you can. Follow us here and https://t.co/VuIB1WyPkX to learn about any related service changes. pic.twitter.com/ZgYOzmYMnw

— Metro-North Railroad. Wear a Mask-Stop the Spread. (@MetroNorth) July 12, 2021

 

New York City Subway

MTA said subway personnel will be staged at key locations to facilitate response to any weather-related event.

 

Crews will inspect track drains in flood-prone areas and check and stage track pumps and storm boxes prior to the storms. Chainsaws will be prepared, fueled and tested for possible debris clearance.

 

New York City Buses

MTA officials said MTA personnel will monitor routes for known flooding situations, and have detours prepared. Extra personnel are on standby in the event of service disruptions or subway shutdowns.

 

All bus facilities will have roof drains checked and ensure they are clear of debris and any loose materials will be secured. Emergency generators are being checked and will be ready in the event of a power outage.

 

Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad

MTA officials said the MTA’s railroads are pre-positioning crews and diesel locomotives to be in position to minimize service disruptions.

 

They said additional personnel will be added this afternoon through the overnight hours to identify and quickly address possible track, signal and power challenges caused by flooding, washouts, downed trees and other potential storm damage. Personnel will survey and clear drainage areas where necessary, fortify key locations and look for trees requiring removal as well any track structures requiring attention.

 

Railroad crews have equipment on hand to be able to respond quickly as conditions warrant – chainsaws for clearing downed trees, pumps in the event of flooded areas, identifying locations and availability of supplies for replacing damaged utility poles and crossing gates.

 

Officials said the railroad teams have worked aggressively to proactively protect infrastructure, tackling poor drainage locations, improving vegetation management adjacent to tracks and strengthening and replacing utility poles, among other actions.

 

MTA Bridges and Tunnels

MTA officials said MTA Bridges and Tunnels personnel are checking all flood-prone locations for debris and will continue to monitor throughout the storm. Personnel will also monitor wind conditions and implement appropriate traffic or speed restrictions if necessary, based on conditions.

 

They added that maintenance teams are on standby throughout the storm to respond to any incidents or emergencies.

 

Meanwhile, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) warned on Monday that the City may experience severe weather, including potential wind gusts up to 60 MPH, starting on Monday afternoon and continuing into Tuesday, July 13.

 

Accordingly, DOB is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment.

 

The Department will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, DOT officials said the agency will take immediate enforcement action, issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary.

 

Winds may reach higher speeds and last longer than forecast in certain areas of the city. DOT officials said property owners must consider the safety of their buildings and construction sites, including cranes, suspended and supported scaffolding, hoists, and any other building appurtenances that may come loose from exposure to high winds. Structures that have been subject to deferred maintenance or are in delicate condition could be at greater risk. The Department suggests consulting a professional to advise how to secure construction sites and buildings.

 

To safeguard construction sites, builders, contractors, and developers should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:

• Tie down and secure material and loose debris at construction sites.
• Cover electrical equipment from exposure to the weather.
• Store loose tools, oil cans, and extra fuses in a tool box.
• Secure netting, scaffolding, and sidewalk sheds.
• Suspend crane operations and secure crane equipment when wind speeds reach 30 mph or greater.
• Suspend hoist operations and secure exterior hoists when wind speeds reach 35 mph or greater, unless manufacturer specifications state otherwise.
• Brace and secure construction fences.
• Call 911 if there is an emergency on a construction site.

 

Buildings Bulletin 2015-029 outlines the requirements for vertical netting, debris netting and material-fall protection devices at buildings and construction sites.

 

To secure a building, property owners should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:

• Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools, and toys.
• Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
• Close up and secure patio umbrellas.
• Secure retractable awnings.
• Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.
• Take down tents or follow manufacturer’s instructions to secure them.

 

New Yorkers are encouraged to call 311 to report non-compliant conditions or 911 to report emergencies at construction sites or buildings. New Yorkers who suspect a building or property has been structurally compromised should call 911.

 

Under §28-301.1 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, property owners are legally obligated to maintain their properties in a safe condition.

 

Department officials said that weather advisories are strictly a courtesy to remind property owners to prepare their properties for severe weather and cannot be read to suggest that the Department, rather than the property owner, is responsible for maintaining his or her property.