Storm Tips - Public Advocate Bill de Blasio

7/31/2019 Storm Tips - Public Advocate Bill de Blasio

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1. How do I secure my house or apartment prior to a major storm?

2. In the event of a severe storm or hurricane, what supplies should I have at

my home?3. How can I help my neighbors prepare for an approaching storm?

4. How and when will I know whether to evacuate?

5. If an evacuation order is issued what should I put in my Go Bag?

6. Do I have the right insurance to protect my house or apartment?

7. What additional steps can I take to secure my house or apartmentfrom damage?

If a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued:

Remove loose or lightweight objects from porches, backyards, terraces androof gardens and bring them inside. These items can include lawn furniture,grills, toys etc. Remove or secure any Halloween decorations.

Secure any outdoor items that would be dangerous to bring inside yourhome.

Close and secure all of your homes windows. If you have a basement it is advised that you move all valuables

possessions to a higher floor, if possible.

Source: NYC Office of Emergency Managementhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_brochure_english.pdf


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The American Red Cross recommends that you have the following supplies at

your home in the event of a severe storm or hurricane:

Waterat least a 3day supply; one gallon per person per day Foodat least a 3day supply of nonperishable, easy-to-prepare food Flashlight Battery-powered radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) Extra batteries First aid kit Medications (7day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra

batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)

Multipurpose tool Sanitation and personal hygiene items Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medicalinformation, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth

certificates, insurance policies)

Cell phone with chargers Family and emergency contact information Extra cash Silver-foil emergency blanket Map(s) of the area Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers) Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl) Tools/supplies for securing your home

Extra set of car keys and house keys Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes Rain gear Insect repellent and sunscreen Camera for photos of damage


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You should check on elderly neighbors or those with medical conditions or

disabilities. You can help them prepare for a storm by assembling Go Bags(described below) in the event of an evacuation, securing their homes, andhelping them leave if an evacuation order is issued.


Check whether your home is located in a designated evacuation zone by calling311 or visiting http://gis.nyc.gov/oem/he/index.html.

Prior to and during the storm, monitor television broadcasts and www.nyc.govfor evacuation orders that may affect your area. If a recommendation or order toevacuate is given, residents are encouraged to stay with friends and family in anon-evacuation zone, or to stay at a designated storm shelter. In the event of anevacuation, a list of emergency storm shelters will be posted on nyc.gov or youcan call 311 for details.

A Go Bag is a collection of items that need to be easily accessed if you areevacuated. These items should be placed in a backpack or duffel bag.

Your Go Bag should contain the following items: copies of important documents,a set of house/apartment and car keys, credit/ATM cards, cash, bottled water,nonperishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a battery powered radio, yourmedications (if you take any regularly, i.e. blood pressure, asthma or heart

medications), the name and phone number of doctors, a first aid kit and meet upinformation for your family. You should also try to make arrangements for pets.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_brochure_english.pdfhttp://gis.nyc.gov/oem/he/index.htmlhttp://www.nyc.gov/http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_brochure_english.pdfhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_brochure_english.pdfhttp://www.nyc.gov/http://gis.nyc.gov/oem/he/index.htmlhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_brochure_english.pdf


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If you have renters insurance it will cover the items inside your apartment. If you

own your home, make sure that your home and possessions are properlyinsured. You should also make sure that your insurance covers damage fromflooding.


Cover all of your homes windows with permanent shutters or 5/8 inchmarine plywood, tape will not prevent widows from breaking.

Make sure that trees and other plants around your house are well trimmed toensure that they are wind resistant.

Clear loose and clogged rain gutters. Reinforce your garage door.Source: US FEMAhttp://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_brochure_english.pdfhttp://www.ready.gov/hurricaneshttp://www.ready.gov/hurricaneshttp://www.ready.gov/hurricaneshttp://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_brochure_english.pdf


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1. Who do I call if the electricity or another utility goes out?2. Who should I contact to report storm damage or flooding in my community?3. What if I live in a high rise?

Con Edison customers can report downed power lines, power outages, andcheck service restoration status by computer or mobile device atwww.conEd.com. They also can call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). Whenreporting an outage, it is helpful if customers have their Con Edison accountnumber available, if possible, and report whether their neighbors also have lostpower.

New Yorkers can report flooding, downed trees, unstable sidewalk sheds orscaffolds, or other storm-related clean-up needs by calling 311.

The City also accepts reports from owners of homes and businesses whoseproperty was damaged during hurricanes. The information will be used to helpthe City estimate the storm's total effect on city residents and employees, whichis necessary for the City to qualify for disaster relief assistance. To file a damagereport online, visit http://on.nyc.gov/ofrMspSource: NYC Office of Emergency Management(http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/nycsevereweather/weather_home.shtml)
http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/nycsevereweather/weather_home.shtmlhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/nycsevereweather/weather_home.shtml


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Residents of high rise buildings who live above the 10th floor should stay away

from windows in case they break. You should also consider relocating to lowerfloor for the duration of a severe storm, if at all possible.


1. Will my homeowners or renters insurance cover storm and flood damage?2. How do I file an insurance claim?3. I am a renter and my furniture was damaged, can I make a claim?4. What do I do if I have water in my basement?5. What should I do after I drain my basement?6. How do I clean up mold?7. Is there anything I can do if my food went bad during the storm and Im out

of food stamps?

8. What can I do if Im not getting the help I need from 311 or other Cityagencies?

Standard homeowners or renters insurance does not cover flooding, but it may

cover other types of water damage from storms. For insurance purposes,flooding generally refers to water that enters your house at the ground level asthe result of the rising and overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land.Water damage, by contrast, occurs when water damages your home beforecoming in contact with the ground (for example, if rain soaks through your roof).
http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_brochure_english.pdfhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_brochure_english.pdfhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_brochure_english.pdf


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Source: National Flood Insurance Program (http://www.floodsmart.gov), InsuranceBuyers Guide (http://www.insbuyer.com/floodinsurance.htm)

Contact your agent or company representative to prepare a Notice of Lossform. It is important to begin this process immediately. All flood insurancepolicies require you to give prompt written notice of loss.

Separate damaged items from non-damaged items. Dont throw anythingaway before an adjuster has seen it.

Make a room-by-room inventory of the damaged items, including pictures ora description, the cost, brand name and model. Create a list of any structural damage to show the adjuster. If possible,

photograph the outside of the premises, showing any damage or flooding.Also, photograph the inside of the premises, showing the damaged propertyand the height of the water if your property was flooded.

Arrange a visit with an adjuster from the insurance company. Generally,your adjuster will contact you within 24-48 hours after receiving your noticeof loss. When the adjuster visits your property, let him or her know if youneed an advance or partial payment of loss.

Your claim is payable after you and the insurer agree on the amount ofdamages and the insurer receives your complete, accurate and signed Proofof Loss.

Source: National Flood Insurance Program, Flood Insurance Claims Handbook, FEMA F-687, February 2009 (http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2184) and FEMAsTips for Filing an Insurance Claim (http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/claim.shtm)

Please contact 311 and your landlord to report the flooding and damage. If yourlandlord has flood insurance, you may be covered. Alternatively, if youpurchased flood insurance, contact your insurance company and follow theinstructions above.

If your county is designated as a disaster area, you may also qualify for federalassistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For
http://www.floodsmart.gov/http://www.insbuyer.com/floodinsurance.htmhttp://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2184http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2184http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/claim.shtmhttp://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/claim.shtmhttp://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2184http://www.insbuyer.com/floodinsurance.htmhttp://www.floodsmart.gov/


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more information, visit: www.fema.gov or contact the FEMA Helpline at 1800621FEMA. To see if you are eligible for assistance, you can take ananonymous pre-screening questionnaire online at:http://www.disasterassistance.gov/

If your basement is severely flooded, take precautions before pumping out thewater. Water in your basement may be helping to stabilize the basement wallsagainst pressure from the outside. If you drain your basement too quickly, theoutsize pressure can cause the basement floor and walls to crack and collapse.

Be sure the electricity is off before entering a flooded basement. Forinsurance purposes, its also a good idea to take pictures of the floodingbefore beginning work.

When the water is no longer covering the ground surrounding your house,you can begin pumping the water from your basement. CAUTION: Do notuse gasoline-powered pumps or generators indoors as they produce deadly

carbon monoxide exhaust fumes.

In the case of severe flooding, pump out the water is stages. Decreasewater level by 2 to 3 feet, mark the water level, and wait overnight. If thewater went back up overnight and covered your mark, its too early to drainyour basement. In these cases, wait another 24 hours and repeat thisprocess.

Source: FloodSafe, a Publication of FEMA and WMD Emergency Management Divisionand Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division(http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtml)

Drying and disinfecting your basement is critically important to prevent the

growth of dangerous mold.

Use a shovel to remove any mud from your basement. Mud left behind byfloodwaters poses a health hazard and will be more difficult to remove afterit dries.
http://www.disasterassistance.gov/http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtmlhttp://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtmlhttp://www.disasterassistance.gov/


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Wash off the walls and floors with clean water and then disinfect them with asolution of 1 cups of liquid chlorine bleach to a gallon of fresh water.CAUTION: NEVER mix bleach and ammonia cleaning products. This willproduce deadly chlorine gas!

Clean and disinfect all vents or registers of heating and air conditioningducts, the wall covers for wall switches and outlets, and any flexible ducting,including dryer connections that were exposed to water.

Check your water system, including drains and utility connections for leaks,breaks, and loose fittings.

Before turning on the electricity, check your incoming electrical service forany damage. Replace any wiring, switches and/or outlets that were

submerged or got wet during the flood. This may require the services of aprofessional.

To help dry out your home and reduce odors, run fans and dehumidifiers. Depending on the severity of flooding and type of the building materials used

in your basement, all or part of your walls may need to be replaced.Wallboard that has been soaked by floodwater can present a permanenthealth hazard. Plaster and paneling can often be saved, but you will need to

get air circulating in the wall cavities to dry the studs and sills.

Source: FloodSafe, a Publication of FEMA and WMD Emergency Management Divisio;Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division(http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtml); NYC Department ofHealth and Mental Hygiene (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/ehs/guidance-post-irene.pdf); and the Red Cross and FEMA, Repairing Your Flooded Home

Exposure to mold can have serious health effects including allergic reactions,asthma, and other respiratory complaints. It is important to clean up mold assoon as you notice it to prevent serious problems.

For small amounts of mold (less than 3 feet by 3 feet), you should be able tohandle the clean-up yourself. For large jobs or if you have any moldallergies, you should contact a professional who has experience with moldremoval. If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or othercontaminated water, a professional is also highly recommended.

Wear waterproof gloves, goggles, and a face mask when cleaning.
http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtmlhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/ehs/guidance-post-irene.pdfhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/ehs/guidance-post-irene.pdfhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/ehs/guidance-post-irene.pdfhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/ehs/guidance-post-irene.pdfhttp://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtml


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Office of New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio1 Centre Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10007

(212) 669-7250 | www.advocate.nyc.gov

Storm Tips - Public Advocate Bill de Blasio

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