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'Shelter in place' — Here’s what to do in NYC in case of flooding

By

Michelle Bocanegra

Published Sep 29, 2023

Modified Sep 29, 2023

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4th Avenue and Carroll Street Friday morning.

 

Leslie Arturi

By

Michelle Bocanegra

Published Sep 29, 2023

Modified Sep 29, 2023

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The heavy rainfall that battered the New York City metropolitan region on Friday also brought along the risk of flash flooding, and a series of warnings were issued for the area.

Here’s what to do in the event of a flood:

Turn around, don’t drown

In New York City, the turnaround principle applies to commuters on subway stations and drivers traversing submerged streets.

The city’s Office of Emergency Management warned against entering flooded subway stations when issuing its travel advisory, which is in effect through Saturday morning. Social media users shared images of water pouring down subway entrances and platforms on Friday morning as the MTA attempted to dissuade riders from making the perilous commute.

Gowanus on 9th Street between 2nd Ave and Smith.

Leslie Arturi for Gothamist

“There is only extremely limited subway service available because of heavy flooding caused by rainfall,” New York City Transit posted from its account on X, formerly known as Twitter, just after 9 a.m. Friday. “Service may be suspended on certain stations.”

Officials are urging New Yorkers not to drive or swim through flooded roads. Images of cars halfway immersed in water also appeared on social media on Friday morning.

“You have to realize, if you're in a sinking vehicle, just about every vehicle made these days has powered windows, so once that vehicle is immersed — it's going to short out the electrical system, so the windows won't be able to open,” said Robert Sinclair, senior manager of public affairs for AAA Northeast. “You've got the pressure of the weight of the water on the door. So, there's really no good way of dealing with a submerged vehicle and trying to escape from it.”

The federal government’s Ready.gov website urges drivers to avoid bridges over fast-moving water altogether.

Get to higher ground

People who live in basement apartments should prepare to quickly move to higher ground as rain continues to fall, city officials said. If the building is flooding, federal officials advise moving to the highest level of the building that is safe, recommend avoiding closed attics and caution against climbing onto the roof unless it is absolutely necessary.

The rapid clip of rains that came with Hurricane Ida in 2021 killed at least 11 people who were trapped in flooded basement apartments. Officials urge New Yorkers to keep an eye on flood conditions in their immediate area and sign up for emergency alerts with Notify NYC. Residents can also call 311 for updates.

If you are inside a car trapped in a flood, stay inside unless water begins to enter the car, per advice from Ready.gov. If the inside of the car begins to flood, climb onto the car roof.

“Twelve inches of moving water is enough to pick up a vehicle and carry it away. And we're talking about even the heaviest SUV or pickup truck,” Sinclair said. “Moving water has a tremendous amount of power.”

Stay home, shelter in place

Mayor Eric Adams and emergency management officials urged people to stay home if they could. For those who are at work or in school he said to "shelter in place," but did not elaborate on what that meant other than staying put. Adams and schools Chancellor David Banks said the city's schools are safe.

"The decision to go remote is always the last option," Banks said. "It is a major, major disruption ... While this is certainly a tough day in terms of the rain, our kids are not in danger. All of our schools are open."

Check in on people who might be at risk

Updates on the situation may not necessarily travel as quickly to one person as it does to the next. Stay in constant contact with people who may live in ground-level homes or lower — or residents who may be forced to travel today, including parents and guardians picking up their children after school on Friday.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

What you need to know

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Michelle Bocanegra

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