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Battening Down Hatches for Hanna
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 6, 2008
Modified Sep 6, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 6, 2008
Modified Sep 6, 2008
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So, Tropical Storm Hanna is on her way, and the NYC metro area is making sure it's ready.
NYC has activated a "flash flood emergency plan." WNBC reports that workers have been "cleaning catch basins and other areas prone to flooding" and the Office of Emergency Management will be open tomorrow "with more than a dozen city, state and federal agencies starting at 8 a.m." Wind gusts between 45 and 55 mph and 3 to 6 inches of rain are expected in the afternoon.
WCBS 2's Lonnie Quinn said, "The toughest time period for New York City will be 6 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday... The hardest hit parts of the tri-state will be the Jersey shore and the east end of Long Island." Track Hanna at NOAA and let us know how the rain is affecting you by leaving a comment or email us at tips(at)gothamist(dot)com.
NYC Transit is also making sure it's ready: It sent an email to riders today (full email after the jump) saying its workers have "already begun preparations to safeguard the system from flooding. This includes the cleaning of subway drains, checking all subway pumps and pre-positioning personnel and equipment at flood prone locations." Which is great, given our past experiences with Frances in 2004 and last year's hurricane--it's probably better that Hanna is visiting on a weekend, versus week day with all the commuters.
Here's the letter from NYC Transit:
To our customers:
Adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, are forecasted for this weekend and could impact subway service. We have already begun preparations to safeguard the system from flooding. This includes the cleaning of subway drains, checking all subway pumps and pre-positioning personnel and equipment at flood prone locations. We may also move trains from their storage yards and store them underground instead.
In the event that weather does impact subway service, we will notify the media and post updates on our website. Please listen to local radio reports and check our website Please check www.mta.info for current 'Service Alert' information. Click on the flashing service alert triangle.
Did you know the MTA pumps millions of gallons of water from the subways on a normal, dry day? That's why subways are hit hard when a lot of rain comes down quickly.
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office of emergency management
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torrential rain
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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