NYC Preps for Hurricane Season

by Rebecca Lewis | 05/28/2015 | 4:32pm

hurricane

Hurricane season starts Monday. Meteorologists are predicting a below normal season this year. But that doesn't mean the city, and especially coastal regions, will be any less prepared. 

In 2012, Southern Queens and the Rockaways were devastated by Superstorm Sandy. Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder said since then the area has been rebuilding and getting more resilient. He said efforts have ranged from updating sewer infrastructure, to creating sand buffers at beaches to prevent flooding, to individuals fortifying their homes. Goldfeder said he's always wary, and this year will be no different.

"You know, when you've been through a storm like Sandy and you've seen the devastation, you're always concerned. So even when there's a slight drizzle outside, my heart skips a beat and we make sure we do everything we can to be prepared," Goldfeder said.

Goldfeder said so far, those efforts haven't been needed and hopes they won't be this year.

The city's Office of Emergency Management is also getting ready for the storm season. Megan Pribrum with the OEM said city employees have been training, practicing evacuation plans and getting the word out.

"We want to make sure the public is prepared as well... we want to make sure the people are aware and know their zones," Pribrum said. "The city has six hurricane evacuation zones and one of the key pieces is to make sure the public is prepared."

Pribrum said three of those zones were added after Sandy. She also said as a result of the devastating storm, shelters have increased their stockpiles and the city's improved its efforts to clean up debris.

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