Considering the number of FLers in NYC and the environs, consider this both a FL P.S.A. and history lesson.
Jun 11, 2007 6:20 pm US/Eastern
Experts: NYC About Due For Major Hurricane
Chertoff Warns Of Likely 130 MPH Winds, 30-Foot Surge
Lonnie Quinn
Reporting
(CBS) NEW YORK When we talk about hurricanes, most of the time we talk about when they're going to hit the Southeast.
But on Monday, officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Emergency Management talked about a major hurricane hitting our area.
Experts say it will happen. They just don't know exactly when.
Blinding winds. Driving rain. Massive floods. We've seen the pictures of a hurricane's destructive power. Now emergency officials say it's time for this area to prepare for the worst.
"Most people visualize hurricanes as a problem for the southeast part of the United States, but we do have hurricanes here," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Monday.
The last hurricane to hit New York was the so-called Long Island Express in 1938. It killed 50 people on the Island, more than 700 along the Eastern seaboard. In the years since, hurricanes with names like Bob, Floyd, and Gloria, have also made an impact, but we've been spared a direct hit.
"The ten strike for a hurricane is one that hits New Jersey and of course they run counter clockwise so it pushes the water into the Hudson River," Chertoff said.
Experts say a major hurricane could pack 130 mph winds, and a 30-foot storm surge. There would be flooding in all five boroughs, the subways and much of lower Manhattan could be under water. Damage estimates would top $100 billion.
"Visualize how you are going to feel if that big storm surge comes rushing up the Hudson River, the East River, and you say to yourself, 'oh, gee, I should have gotten out of here.'"
On Monday, officials from New York's Emergency Management gave Chertoff details of their hurricane-readiness plan, which includes ways to evacuate 3 million people and prove shelter for 600,000 others.
"The planning that has been done here is second to none in terms of identifying shelters, evacuation plans, security plans and training and equipment," Chertoff said.
But officials stress that for any plan to work, people must follow it.
"The mayor is going to test our own city emergency procedures by staying to week in this facility in July to test how well he can operate and how well our continuity of operations plan is," Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler said.
Jun 11, 2007 6:20 pm US/Eastern
Experts: NYC About Due For Major Hurricane
Chertoff Warns Of Likely 130 MPH Winds, 30-Foot Surge
Lonnie Quinn
Reporting
(CBS) NEW YORK When we talk about hurricanes, most of the time we talk about when they're going to hit the Southeast.
But on Monday, officials from the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Emergency Management talked about a major hurricane hitting our area.
Experts say it will happen. They just don't know exactly when.
Blinding winds. Driving rain. Massive floods. We've seen the pictures of a hurricane's destructive power. Now emergency officials say it's time for this area to prepare for the worst.
"Most people visualize hurricanes as a problem for the southeast part of the United States, but we do have hurricanes here," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Monday.
The last hurricane to hit New York was the so-called Long Island Express in 1938. It killed 50 people on the Island, more than 700 along the Eastern seaboard. In the years since, hurricanes with names like Bob, Floyd, and Gloria, have also made an impact, but we've been spared a direct hit.
"The ten strike for a hurricane is one that hits New Jersey and of course they run counter clockwise so it pushes the water into the Hudson River," Chertoff said.
Experts say a major hurricane could pack 130 mph winds, and a 30-foot storm surge. There would be flooding in all five boroughs, the subways and much of lower Manhattan could be under water. Damage estimates would top $100 billion.
"Visualize how you are going to feel if that big storm surge comes rushing up the Hudson River, the East River, and you say to yourself, 'oh, gee, I should have gotten out of here.'"
On Monday, officials from New York's Emergency Management gave Chertoff details of their hurricane-readiness plan, which includes ways to evacuate 3 million people and prove shelter for 600,000 others.
"The planning that has been done here is second to none in terms of identifying shelters, evacuation plans, security plans and training and equipment," Chertoff said.
But officials stress that for any plan to work, people must follow it.
"The mayor is going to test our own city emergency procedures by staying to week in this facility in July to test how well he can operate and how well our continuity of operations plan is," Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler said.
