Mayor Michael Bloomberg brought city residents up-to-date about preparations being made as Hurricane Sandy continues its trek up the East Coast.
Here are the highlights of Bloomberg's 20-minute Friday afternoon press conference:
- City coordinating with state Department of Health “to take measures to protect the lives of New Yorkers.”
- Landfall is expected Monday. City is likely to feel effects in terms of high tides, high winds and heavy rains lasting for several days.
- Possibility that certain areas of the city will be flooded. Some bridges may be closed due to high winds.
- MTA will take necessary precautions including the suspension of service system wide if winds reach at or above 39 mph.
- Long power outages are possible. City is working with Con Ed to prepare for storm.
- “It’s our responsibility to be prepared and take preparations now.” -Bloomberg.
- Additional capacity to nyc.gov and 311 to handle increase in activity.
- While weather is still good, stock up on basic supplies and make a 'Go' bag that includes drinking water, first aid kit, flashlights, important documents, extra set of keys and medications.
- Zone A represents low-lying areas of city likely to flood in a strong coastal storm event, including Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, the Rockaways, Red Hook, other low-lying stretches along East River and Battery Park City.
- Not recommending evacuations of hospitals at this time. However, hospital administrators are being asked to discharge any patients that can be safely discharged and to cancel elective procedures.
- If you have an elderly or homebound relative in Zone A, consider taking them in now.
- No mandatory evacuation for Zone A. That could change as storm approaches.
- High winds will begin Sunday. Because of winds, city Department of Buildings is ordering a halt to construction as of 5 p.m. today.
- No decision yet if schools will be open Monday. Decision will likely be made Sunday. Saturday events, including tests, will go ahead as planned. Sunday’s will be postponed to Nov. 18.
