NYCEM Issues Weather Alert For Severe Thunderstorms, Damaging Winds This Sunday

NYCEM ISSUES WEATHER ALERT FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS, DAMAGING WINDS THIS SUNDAY

Strong Wind Gusts and Lightning May Threaten Sunday Evening Outdoor Plans

NEW YORK -New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) has issued a Weather Alert for Sunday, June 14. In coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS), NYCEM is monitoring the potential for severe thunderstorms across the five boroughs Sunday afternoon into the late evening.

"Storms can hit hard and without much warning, which means everyone needs to take weather advisories seriously," said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. "Our administration is mobilizing to protect New Yorkers, and the hardworking people at NYCEM stand ready to help residents and visitors to our city prepare, but New Yorkers need to prepare as well. Take the time now to make a plan and ensure you are ready when extreme weather strikes. Sign up for emergency alerts by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692."

"Not every neighborhood will see a storm Sunday, but the ones that do can turn severe in minutes, with damaging winds and dangerous lightning," said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. "Our Flash Flood Emergency Plan remains activated, and we are coordinating closely with the National Weather Service and our partner agencies. If you are heading outdoors Sunday evening, know where you will go if a storm moves in. When thunder roars, go indoors. Watch for severe thunderstorm warnings and special weather statements and sign up for Notify NYC to stay informed."

According to the latest NWS forecast, the highest risk for storms runs from approximately 4 p.m. through 11 p.m. Sunday. The primary threat is damaging winds, with gusts of 60 mph or higher possible in the strongest storms. Frequent lightning is also expected with any thunderstorm that develops. While storm coverage may be less widespread than recent days, any storm that forms has strong potential to become severe.

Localized urban and poor-drainage flooding is possible where heavy downpours occur, but widespread flooding is not anticipated because the storms are expected to move quickly. A high risk of rip currents is forecast at all city beaches Sunday, making swimming dangerous. A nuisance-level coastal flood risk is anticipated for the usual low-lying and shoreline areas around the evening high tide, with roughly 6 to 10 inches of inundation possible.

Conditions are expected to quiet down early next week.

NYCEM offers New Yorkers these tips to stay safe before, during, and after Sunday's storms:

PREPARING FOR RAIN

• Do not enter flooded basements and leave your basement before it starts to flood.
• Before and during an emergency, the city will send emergency alerts through various channels, including Notify NYC, available in 13 different languages, with a special sub-group dedicated to Basement Apartment Dwellers.
• Subscribe to Notify NYC at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, download the app in your phone's app store, or dial 311. Keep a battery-powered radio ready for timely updates, particularly if power outages are expected.
• If it's safe to do so, check and clear any nearby storm drains to help manage water runoff and lessen the chances of localized flooding. Pay attention to localized warnings, especially those pertaining to rip currents and high waves.
• If you are driving and come to a flooded street, turn around.
• Do not walk or drive into standing water. You never know how deep it is or what is under it.
• To gear up for potential power disruptions, keep your cell phones charged, stock up on supplies. Ensure that flashlights and battery-operated radios or TVs are functional, keeping extra batteries on hand.

Communication and Information:

• Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts through various channels, including Notify NYC, available in 13 different languages, with a special sub-group dedicated to Basement Apartment Dwellers. Subscribe to Notify NYC at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, download the app in your phone's app store, or dial 311. Keep a battery-powered radio ready for timely updates, particularly if power outages are expected.

Storm Drains and Local Warnings:

• If it's safe to do so, check and clear any nearby storm drains to help manage water runoff and lessen the chances of localized flooding. Pay attention to localized warnings, especially those pertaining to rip currents and high waves.

Prepare for Outages:

• To gear up for potential power disruptions, keep your cell phones charged, stock up on supplies. If power outages are predicted, consider adjusting your refrigerator and freezer to colder settings to extend the shelf life of perishable items. Ensure that flashlights and battery-operated radios or TVs are functional, keeping extra batteries on hand. If you rely on Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and lose power, dial 911 for immediate assistance, and remember never to use generators indoors. Check on vulnerable individuals in your community, such as older adults and people with disabilities or health conditions and assist them in their preparations.

For the latest updates sign up for emergency alerts by visiting the Notify NYC page, texting 'NotifyNYC' to 692-692 or call 311.