NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced his plans to help residents handle extreme summer weather and heat.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Good morning, everyone.
00:02 My name is Camille Joseph-Farlack,
00:04 and I serve as Chief of Staff to the Mayor,
00:05 as well as Extreme Weather Coordinator for New York City.
00:09 Our administration is laser-focused
00:11 on protecting public safety, rebuilding our economy,
00:14 and creating a more livable city
00:16 for working-class New Yorkers.
00:18 Today, we are excited to be here
00:20 to make an important announcement
00:21 about how this administration is preparing
00:23 to help New Yorkers beat the heat
00:26 during these beautiful summer months,
00:28 as well as preparing for other extreme weather events,
00:31 like hurricanes, flash floods, and wildfire smoke.
00:34 To tell you more about it,
00:35 I'm pleased to turn it over to Mayor Adams.
00:38 Thank you.
00:38 Thank you so much.
00:40 As Chief of Staff, I was telling Commissioner Donahue,
00:47 this was our hood.
00:48 We hung out many times,
00:51 Prospect Park, this beautiful museum.
00:54 This was my senatorial district,
00:57 and as well as my time as borough president.
01:01 And so it's good to be back here.
01:02 City's Museum has become a centerpiece
01:05 for so much that's done here.
01:07 I don't know if they still do first Sundays
01:09 or first Saturdays, but it used to be
01:12 thousands of people would come through for a free event,
01:16 and this beautiful addition here has become a mainstay
01:21 in this great borough of Brooklyn.
01:24 We're really excited about summer months.
01:26 I think nothing is better than summer in New York City.
01:30 There's so much to do,
01:32 but we're dealing with a different time
01:34 and a different moment.
01:35 Our climate has changed a lot,
01:37 and the coordination of what we must do in every entity,
01:42 particularly what Commissioner Isko is doing
01:47 in the Office of Emergency Management
01:50 on how we ensure that we let New Yorkers know ahead of time
01:55 of how do we plan.
01:57 I do not walk in a building without looking around
02:01 to see what emergency exits are.
02:03 When I sit on the plane,
02:06 I actually listen to the stewardess
02:07 when she gives those instructions.
02:09 I may have heard them a thousand times,
02:11 but preparation is everything, and that is what we're doing.
02:15 We're saying to New Yorkers,
02:17 as you start your summer engagement,
02:22 particularly for those who has respiratory conditions
02:25 or who are going to be moving around
02:27 with their seniors and their parents,
02:31 you need to go into the summer with a level of preparation.
02:33 And there are things that you need to know,
02:35 and we want to make sure that you are aware of them
02:39 as we move into the summer months, particularly heat.
02:42 We all may love a nice, hot summer day,
02:46 but it comes with some real warning signs
02:49 that we need to be prepared of,
02:50 and our summers are different now.
02:52 Global warming is real,
02:54 and we want to make sure that climate change
02:56 and the heat that it brings with intensity,
03:00 that people are aware of how to deal with it
03:02 during a heat wave.
03:04 That's why New York City is getting ready in advance,
03:08 and we want all New Yorkers to be ready, too.
03:11 This year, we have expanded the number of cooling centers
03:14 across the city, and our new cool options map
03:18 will now be available 24 hours, seven days a week online,
03:23 starting next week.
03:25 The map will show the cooling center options
03:27 available in your city,
03:29 including many of our public libraries,
03:32 older adult centers, and museum.
03:34 This is something that Commissioner Cortez-Vasquez
03:38 has been really focused on as we let our seniors know
03:41 ahead of time where they can go
03:44 to deal with these cooling centers,
03:46 and we should map them out,
03:47 and they should be aware of which is the closest
03:51 cooling center in their area.
03:54 It's not too early to plan,
03:56 and we want people to prepare before the heat
03:59 starts to really impact the city.
04:01 But we also have areas where there are air-conditioned space
04:07 such as many of the local areas
04:13 that we're going to point out
04:14 on our heating cooling center locations.
04:17 But you also should know loved ones and family members,
04:19 those who have air conditioners,
04:22 it's about proper planning, it's being prepared,
04:24 and we should open our homes to those loved ones
04:29 that we know don't have an air conditioner,
04:31 don't have adequate cooling facilities.
04:33 It's about helping neighbors,
04:34 it's about engaging with each other, and it's about pets.
04:38 Our pets also deal with the heat issue,
04:42 and so we want to be very clear on what locations
04:45 pets are allowed in and which ones aren't,
04:47 or which locations the centers welcome pets
04:50 so they can also identify those locations.
04:53 So we want New Yorkers to be prepared for the summer heat,
04:57 even if temperatures do not rise,
05:00 heat and heat conditions, they're still here,
05:04 and they will still impact people,
05:06 even in those days that are not intense,
05:09 it still could be a health emergency.
05:11 Each summer, too many New Yorkers die prematurely
05:16 due to heat, and it's something
05:19 that we really take for granted.
05:20 We talk about cold weather emergencies,
05:22 but we need to be concerned about the heat weather
05:25 and how it impacts.
05:26 So tomorrow, May 31st, is National Heat Awareness Day,
05:31 and the Mayor's Public Engagement Unit
05:33 will host a day of action in the South Bronx,
05:37 focused on connecting people
05:39 to NYSEM's Home Emergency Assistance Program,
05:42 which helps income-eligible New Yorkers
05:44 purchase an air conditioner or fan for their residence.
05:48 And so there are initiatives that we are doing
05:51 to make sure that we can assist as much as possible.
05:54 In addition to opening cooling centers citywide,
05:57 we're also expanding our city's national cooling system
06:01 and our tree canopy.
06:05 Our Parks Department has planted
06:08 over 15,000 new trees in 2024,
06:12 just an amazing job, Sue and her team,
06:14 and we are on pace to plant more than 18,000 trees this year,
06:19 the highest total in eight years,
06:22 and I don't think anything does a better job
06:24 of a natural cooling than sitting under a tree
06:26 under a difficult and hot day.
06:29 Every tree we plant provides shade in lowest temperatures,
06:33 in addition to beautifying our streets and sidewalks,
06:37 and when we take care of nature,
06:40 nature take care of us.
06:43 We're also making robust efforts
06:44 to protect older New Yorkers during heat events
06:46 by connecting our seniors with free indoor thermostats
06:51 and working with partners like City Mills on Wheels,
06:54 Staten Island, God's Love We Deliver,
06:57 and the Food Bank for New York City
06:59 to distribute heat safety information
07:02 to vulnerable population.
07:04 These partners already deliver food
07:07 to the homes of those who are homebound,
07:10 and this is a way, as we deliver food,
07:12 to deliver information that can prepare them
07:14 from heat-related emergency.
07:17 So we want New Yorkers working outside
07:20 to also stay safe as well,
07:22 so we'll be distributing 1,000 of cool kits
07:25 to delivery drivers and outdoor laborers
07:28 working under the summer sun,
07:31 as well as promoting safety for all outdoor workers.
07:35 Extreme heat is a real concern for us.
07:37 We're taking this seriously.
07:39 Historically, we don't do these updates and broadcasts,
07:42 but we learned a lot from last year,
07:45 and all of these commissioners who are here
07:47 wanted to come together and do a collaboration
07:50 of how each one of their agencies
07:52 is going to provide some level of touching
07:54 their constituencies to ensure that they have
07:58 some way of dealing with the heat.
08:00 Last year, we saw how quickly dangerous wildfire smoke
08:04 could blanket our city.
08:06 Coming from Canada, it was really something amazing to see
08:10 how something so far away can impact our city
08:12 and impact the breathing of everyday New Yorkers,
08:17 even from 5,000 miles away.
08:19 So this year, we have updated
08:22 our air quality emergency guidelines
08:25 with new technology and monitoring,
08:27 greater outreach to vulnerable populations,
08:30 and more protections to critical services
08:34 and infrastructure, such as public transportations
08:37 and hospitals.
08:38 If there are serious air quality concerns,
08:41 we can modify school operation and outdoor events,
08:46 and early information and notification can go a long way.
08:50 We want to know when we should notify people
08:54 to wear high-quality masks,
08:56 and we also want to be able to quickly distribute
08:59 high-quality face masks.
09:01 New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for NotifyNYC,
09:05 the city's free emergency notification system,
09:08 which will keep everyone updated
09:10 about weather and air quality issues.
09:13 NotifyNYC is available in 14 languages,
09:17 including American Sign Language.
09:20 You can also visit airnow.gov
09:25 for up-to-date information on air quality in your area.
09:29 We saw during Superstorm Sandy,
09:33 a hurricane headed towards New York City.
09:35 It's one of the biggest threats we face.
09:37 That season is upon us,
09:39 and the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season
09:42 is expected to be worse than usual
09:44 because of record warm ocean temperatures,
09:48 among other factors as well.
09:51 So we need to be ahead of time and do proper notification,
09:54 and pack a safety bag.
09:58 When you have to move or leave repeatedly
10:01 and be aware of those who are dealing
10:04 with health-related issues that are homebound.
10:08 So led by New York City Emergency Management,
10:11 we have been preparing all year round,
10:13 and we need New Yorkers to do the same.
10:15 First, know your zone,
10:17 and be prepared to evacuate if needed.
10:20 New York can find out if they live
10:22 in one of the six evacuation zones
10:24 by visiting nyc.gov/knowyourzone or calling 311.
10:29 So make a plan to evacuate by knowing where to go,
10:36 and how you're going to have your movement in a safe way.
10:41 And if you need city shelter,
10:43 you can find this information on the website as well.
10:47 Flash flooding is also a concern for our city.
10:49 We witnessed that with the heavy rainfall
10:53 that we witnessed throughout the year,
10:55 and we want New Yorkers to be aware of that.
10:57 So if you live below grade, low line,
11:00 drainage areas, make sure you have a plan
11:04 for extreme flash flooding.
11:08 So as Camilla stated, since day one,
11:11 this has been in the heart of what we want to do.
11:14 Anytime we talk about protecting New Yorkers
11:16 and public safety and making sure the city is livable,
11:19 this is part of that, and it's a real holistic approach.
11:22 I want to thank all of our agencies that are here,
11:24 because it's a coordinated effort,
11:26 and this is really their brainchild of saying,
11:29 let's come together as one unit
11:31 as we deal with the change in our climate
11:34 and how it impacts heat-related issues
11:37 that this city can face.
11:39 We want everyone to enjoy the summer,
11:41 but with the summer comes some obligation
11:44 and responsibilities that we all want to be aware of.
11:46 Thank you, Camilla.
11:52 - Thank you, Mayor Adams.
11:53 Every day, members of the New York City
11:55 Emergency Management Team are working tirelessly
11:58 to ensure that our city is prepared to respond
12:00 to whatever Mother Nature sends our way.
12:02 Today's announcement would not be possible
12:04 without their efforts, and so I'm pleased
12:06 to turn it over to New York City
12:08 Emergency Management Commissioner, Zach Iskal.
12:10 - Good morning, and thank you all for joining us today.
12:18 Since day one, Mayor Adams has given leaders
12:20 in his administration a clear mission,
12:23 protecting public safety, rebuilding our economy,
12:26 and making our city more livable for all.
12:28 A key part of this mission is safeguarding
12:30 our city's most vulnerable residents
12:32 from the dangers of heat and weather-related events.
12:35 High heat is a silent killer,
12:37 posing a disproportionate threat
12:39 to our most vulnerable residents,
12:41 especially those age 60 and older, young children,
12:44 and those with preexisting health conditions
12:46 like heart disease, diabetes, mental health conditions,
12:49 or cognitive impairments.
12:52 With 2023 already being the warmest year
12:55 in the global temperature record,
12:57 this year the National Weather Service
12:59 again estimates a high chance of seeing
13:01 above normal temperatures for the summer months,
13:03 increasing the risk for heat-related illnesses
13:06 and fatalities.
13:07 New York City's most heat-related deaths
13:10 occur within homes lacking air conditioning,
13:12 often due to limited access or financial constraints.
13:15 This vulnerability disproportionately affects
13:17 Black New Yorkers, who are more than twice as likely
13:20 as white New Yorkers to succumb
13:22 to heat-exacerbated mortality.
13:25 As a city, we're committed to doing our part.
13:27 We also urge all New Yorkers to do their part.
13:30 Check in on those who are most at risk,
13:32 help them find a cool place to stay during heat events.
13:36 Our city has a long history of proactive measures
13:40 to address the dangers of high heat.
13:42 This year, we're taking that commitment even further,
13:44 with a renewed focus on reaching and protecting
13:48 those who need it most, designed to better protect
13:50 our residents in the face of increasing temperatures.
13:54 Our existing heat emergency plans,
13:55 one of our most frequently activated plans,
13:58 while essential, needed an upgrade
14:00 to meet the escalating challenges posed
14:02 by climate change.
14:03 We've recognized several areas where we can strengthen
14:06 our approach to heat.
14:08 Number one is clear and direct public messaging.
14:11 We've shifted away.
14:12 We still operate cooling centers,
14:14 but we also want to emphasize cool options and cool spaces.
14:18 This encompasses a wider range of accessible locations
14:20 and actions for New Yorkers to find during hot weather.
14:25 We also have a renewed focus on empowering
14:28 individual preparedness.
14:29 Cool options, cool spaces include familiar places
14:32 like libraries, community centers, malls, pools,
14:34 and museums.
14:36 We're also partnering with local businesses, elected officials,
14:38 and organizations to expand our network of cooling centers,
14:42 including this museum where we are today,
14:44 here at the Brooklyn Museum, other places like Lincoln
14:47 Center, and the Museum of the City of New York.
14:49 And we are inviting more elected officials and community boards
14:52 and other partners to join this effort.
14:55 We are also piloting a program, as the mayor said,
14:58 to distribute cool kits.
15:00 This is one of the cool kits containing essential heat
15:04 safety items to delivery drivers, outdoor workers,
15:08 and other at-risk groups.
15:10 These kits include a cooling towel, cold pack,
15:13 water packets, electrolyte mix, and sunscreen.
15:16 And then also, through our Strengthen in Communities
15:18 program, which is our network of community-based organizations,
15:21 nonprofit partners, these are grassroots programs.
15:25 We're piloting a program to distribute indoor thermometers,
15:28 as the mayor said, to older adults,
15:30 helping them monitor their home temperatures in order
15:32 to stay safe.
15:33 And finally, as the mayor also said,
15:35 we're working with partners, food partners like City Meals
15:38 on Wheels, Staten Island, God's Love We Deliver,
15:41 and the Food Bank for NYC to distribute heat safety
15:44 information to our city's most vulnerable populations.
15:48 And finally, as the mayor also mentioned,
15:50 we are revamping our cooling center finder.
15:53 Cooling centers are air-conditioned sites
15:55 open during heat emergencies to provide New Yorkers
15:57 with relief.
15:58 As of next week, our cooling center finder
16:00 will now be available year-round, not just
16:02 during heat emergencies.
16:04 This allows residents to plan ahead and locate
16:07 convenient options whenever they need them.
16:09 It's available in 13 languages or by calling 311.
16:13 I also wanted to briefly talk about air quality, which
16:17 often accompanies high heat.
16:19 Since wildfire smoke blanketed the city last year,
16:21 we've been working on internal protocols
16:23 to improve our response to air quality incidents.
16:26 Our new protocols, created in collaboration
16:28 with cities like San Francisco, will better
16:31 equip us for air quality events going forward,
16:34 including increasing agency coordination
16:36 and public messaging to our most vulnerable populations.
16:41 For more guidance, you can visit the health department's
16:43 website.
16:45 This summer's forecast-- would be remiss if I did not mention--
16:49 also includes heightened hurricane activity.
16:52 We have updated the city's coastal storm plan.
16:55 We are relaunching our Know Your Zone campaign.
16:58 And we're implementing targeted messaging
17:00 for residents who live in basement apartments.
17:03 We work closely with the National Weather Service
17:05 in the run-up and throughout hurricane season,
17:07 actually all year round, to prepare for potential impacts,
17:10 and collaborating with other city agencies
17:13 to mitigate those impacts from hurricanes, tropical cyclones,
17:17 and severe weather.
17:19 But more importantly than what the city is doing to prepare,
17:22 today is really about letting New Yorkers know what they
17:24 need to do to beat the heat.
17:27 So remember to rest, hydrate, locate shade
17:29 if you're working outdoors.
17:30 If your work is strenuous, avoid extreme temperature changes.
17:33 Seek out air conditioned, cool option spaces, centers
17:36 like libraries or malls.
17:38 If you set your air conditioner, set it to low cool.
17:41 We recommend about 78 degrees to stay comfortable and safe,
17:44 while also saving on electricity costs
17:46 and helping us protect the grid.
17:48 And most importantly, check in on your neighbors,
17:50 especially the elderly, those with mental conditions.
17:53 For more tips, you can visit nyc.gov/readynewyork.
17:58 One of things I always emphasize is
17:59 it's very important for each individual,
18:02 each individual family, to develop your own preparedness
18:04 plan.
18:05 Every family is different.
18:06 I've got four kids, three rescue dogs, occasionally
18:10 a mother-in-law, an older adult who lives with us.
18:13 That's very different than if you live by yourself,
18:15 in terms of the plans that you might need,
18:17 the things that you might need to think about.
18:19 So make sure you have a plan that
18:21 works for you and your loved ones,
18:22 those that you care about.
18:23 You can develop that.
18:24 Again, we offer a lot of resources at nyc.gov/readyny.
18:29 And finally, I would not be New York City Emergency Management
18:31 Commissioner if I didn't take this opportunity
18:34 to encourage everyone to sign up for Notify NYC.
18:38 Available in 14 languages, including American Sign
18:40 Language, you can sign up at nyc.gov/notify
18:44 by calling 311 or by downloading the app.
18:48 Thank you all so much.
18:49 And thank you, Mr. Mayor.
18:50 Back over to you, Camille.
18:51 [INAUDIBLE]
18:52 Thank you, Commissioner.
19:00 The New York City Department for the Aging
19:02 works around the clock to ensure the needs of our older
19:05 residents are met on a daily basis.
19:07 With more than 1.5 million older New Yorkers living here
19:10 in New York City, the Department of the Aging
19:12 serves as a national model for what it means
19:15 to be an age-friendly city.
19:17 It is my pleasure to introduce our commissioner
19:19 for the New York City Department of the Aging,
19:21 Lorraine Cortez-Vasquez.
19:22 Good morning.
19:25 Thank you all very much.
19:27 With the growing number of older adults,
19:29 you know this administration has made every effort
19:33 to make this an age-inclusive city.
19:35 Thank you.
19:36 This administration has made every effort
19:38 to make this an age-inclusive city.
19:41 And with that, we have policies that
19:44 cross any age group, including the older adults.
19:48 I am very pleased that we were talking about cooling centers.
19:52 About 308, about 250 of those, serve as cooling centers.
19:57 And you can find them on the cooling center map.
20:01 The other thing that we would say
20:02 is that for those older adults who have family members,
20:07 as the mayor said, make sure that you
20:09 check in on your neighbor, on your family member.
20:13 They're the most vulnerable population.
20:16 During extreme heat, it is really important for us
20:19 to send out information to older adults.
20:23 Cooling centers are critical.
20:25 You have a map.
20:26 We can know exactly where they are.
20:28 The commitment of the Department for the Aging
20:30 is that they're in your community,
20:32 representing your needs and your wants.
20:36 I would just say, at night, keep your living space clean
20:40 and cool, is what I meant.
20:42 And make sure that you take down the shades during the day.
20:46 Stay hydrated.
20:47 Drink plenty of water.
20:49 Avoid alcohol.
20:51 Avoid caffeine.
20:53 It is really important for us.
20:55 If you're unsure how to access the map
20:58 or how to find out what the center is in your area,
21:03 please call Aging Connect, 212-244-6469.
21:09 And with that, I can say it is partnerships like this
21:12 that keep New York City healthy, cool, and prepared.
21:16 Thank you all very much.
21:17 Thank you, Commissioner.
21:22 Next, it is my pleasure to introduce Alexandra Silver,
21:25 the Director of the Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare,
21:27 who is a true leader in ensuring the well-being
21:30 and safety of our city's four-legged friends.
21:32 Alex?
21:34 Thank you so much.
21:37 And thank you, too, to Neil and Hugo,
21:39 who I'm going to ask and see if they can come up and join us,
21:42 if possible.
21:43 Neil and Hugo are from the Brooklyn Cat Cafe,
21:47 despite their species.
21:50 So this is Hugo.
21:51 This is Neil.
21:53 And I'm grateful to them for coming
21:54 to help spread the word about protecting companion animals.
21:59 So as the mayor mentioned, we want
22:00 to make sure all New Yorkers-- and that includes pets
22:03 and the people who love them--
22:05 are safe.
22:06 So as has been mentioned, there are pet-friendly cooling
22:08 centers.
22:10 And-- oh, my god.
22:12 I hope we're taking some home today.
22:13 That's my hope.
22:15 These guys are available for adoption.
22:18 So there are pet-friendly cooling centers.
22:20 And we also urge animal guardians
22:21 to make sure that their pets have access to fresh, clean
22:25 water at all times.
22:26 When you take your dog out on a hot day,
22:28 you want to take them out in the mornings or the evenings,
22:31 the cooler parts of the day.
22:33 Be alert to any symptoms of overheating.
22:35 So excessive panting, drooling, mild weakness,
22:39 those can all be signs.
22:40 Those aren't the only ones.
22:41 But those can be signs of overheating.
22:44 So we want to be alert to that.
22:46 And never-- please don't leave your animal in a car,
22:48 even with the windows cracked.
22:50 So just a lot of these are common sense heat precautions
22:53 to take.
22:54 And the last thing I'll just say about air quality,
22:57 it's pretty much what we would say to humans.
22:59 If you have serious air quality concerns,
23:01 limit your time outside with your pets.
23:04 And again, I just want to emphasize
23:06 that Neil and Hugo are available for adoption.
23:10 So please check them out.
23:11 They're looking for new homes.
23:12 Thank you so much.
23:15 Hugo's 1 and 1/2, and Neil is 7.
23:18 [INTERPOSING VOICES]
23:19 Thank you so much, Alex.
23:45 And with that, we'll open it up for some questions.
23:48 [INAUDIBLE]
23:49 Thank you.
23:54 Sorry.
23:55 I got distracted by the dog.
23:59 Mayor, and maybe for the emergency management
24:03 commissioner as well, you mentioned the air quality
24:06 guidelines.
24:07 They're being updated to reach more vulnerable New Yorkers.
24:10 Can you go into a little bit more detail
24:12 on what exactly that means?
24:14 How is it being updated?
24:16 How will that help us to reach more vulnerable New Yorkers?
24:19 And on the Canadian wildfires, are you actually
24:22 expecting wildfire smoke this summer?
24:25 And on a final point with the cooling centers,
24:29 how many are there and how many are going to be open 24/7,
24:32 as you mentioned?
24:33 I'm sorry.
24:34 Can you hear the last question?
24:35 The last part about the cooling center,
24:37 I think the mayor said that some of them
24:39 are going to be open around the clock, seven days a week.
24:42 The cooling center finder is open 24/7.
24:45 The finder, not the centers.
24:48 So in terms of air quality, there's
24:50 a lot of things we're doing to educate New Yorkers
24:53 about air quality.
24:54 We do it through everything from N Notify NYC,
24:57 through our partnerships with community-based organizations.
25:00 As I mentioned, there's a lot of information
25:02 that's been updated on the health department's website.
25:05 We can provide you--
25:06 I mean, you can find it on the health department's website.
25:09 We've also done some new protocols
25:12 in terms of monitoring air quality,
25:14 closer coordination with New York City--
25:16 with New York DEC, which is the agency, the state agency,
25:19 that's responsible for monitoring and providing
25:22 sort of the alerts in the same way the National Weather
25:24 Service does for weather.
25:25 And then in terms of the season, just
25:27 like there is going to be an active hurricane season,
25:30 it's looking like it is going to be an active wildfire season.
25:33 So it is something that we are looking at and preparing for.
25:36 It looks like there are a lot of very dry areas of Canada
25:39 right now that can lead to increased amounts of smoke
25:43 when you have those types of wildfires.
25:45 But it's important to note, wildfires
25:46 are not the only contributor to air pollution or air quality.
25:51 That is one type.
25:52 We also have other conditions that
25:54 are much harder to predict through things
25:57 like ozone, which is something else that is not
26:00 something as apparent.
26:01 But we had an ozone alert last week,
26:04 I think it was, up in Westchester County.
26:06 And so those are things that we are also looking at
26:08 that high heat can contribute to.
26:11 So I mean, I can go on the DOH website,
26:13 but do you want to just tell us what are these updates?
26:17 I think I'll defer you to the Department of Health website
26:20 in terms of looking for the specific guidance.
26:22 And then I think a lot of the other things
26:23 that we're doing is, as the mayor said,
26:24 providing places and directing New Yorkers to places
26:27 like airnow.gov so that they know where they can
26:30 get the information as well.
26:33 Question about the cooling centers.
26:35 You mentioned several of them are going to be in libraries.
26:39 Libraries are mostly closed on Sundays.
26:41 I guess, is there going to be an alternative on those days,
26:44 or will they be open despite the closures?
26:47 The site is going to list all the cooling systems.
26:52 Not only going to be in libraries,
26:55 but it's going to be in all the cooling systems.
26:57 And we're still in the budget negotiation.
26:59 We don't know what the final results are,
27:01 but we will address whatever folks
27:03 need to find cooling.
27:03 We will have spaces for them.
27:06 Whatever folks need to find cooling,
27:07 we're going to have space for them.
27:10 Thank you.
27:11 How are you?
27:11 Good, man.
27:12 How are you doing?
27:12 Good to see you, man.
27:13 Two quick questions.
27:14 One is on NotifyNYC.
27:18 There has been some criticism that because it's largely
27:22 an opt-in system, you have folks who
27:24 don't have air conditioners or may not use social media.
27:27 They're not the folks who are going to get NotifyNYC.
27:30 So what have you done to increase the outreach
27:34 to folks who aren't signed up in the first place?
27:36 And my second question is for you.
27:39 And you're dead right.
27:40 That's something that Deputy Mayor--
27:42 First Deputy Mayor Wright has looked at.
27:44 We did an analysis of where folks are signing up
27:47 for NotifyNYC.
27:49 And our goal, number one, is, as the commissioner has done,
27:53 is to constantly announce it more,
27:56 bring on Pastor Monroe, who's heading our faith-based
27:59 initiative, to have our pastors be a part of that,
28:03 and then find alternative methods.
28:05 One thing we do know, almost 90% of New Yorkers have a cell phone.
28:09 And whatever methods they use, we want to find out.
28:13 So we're going to be talking to focus groups.
28:15 How do we get people to be more forward-thinking on signing up
28:19 for a great tool, NotifyNYC?
28:22 But it's not being used as the way
28:24 we would like to across the city.
28:26 [APPLAUSE]
28:29 One other thing I just want to add to that
28:31 is the mayor has really encouraged us to take
28:33 a multi-channel approach.
28:35 And so I think it's a fair question.
28:37 And I don't think you can find all New Yorkers in any one
28:39 place, right?
28:41 And so what we do is we do press conferences.
28:43 We do advisories.
28:46 We have community-based organizations
28:49 that do canvassing, both digital canvassing, phone banking.
28:52 They knock on doors.
28:53 We email every elected, every elected in the city,
28:57 with the forecast when we activate the flash flood plan
28:59 or when we have these types of alerts
29:01 so that every elected in the city
29:03 can participate in reaching out through their multiple channels
29:06 to their constituents to make sure they stay safe.
29:08 So NotifyNYC is the primary, but it's not the only way
29:11 that we're getting information out to the public.
29:13 Social media is another big one, having the mayor do stand-up
29:16 videos, doing press conferences.
29:18 It is a multi-channel approach to getting the information
29:21 out there this summer with Know Your Zone.
29:24 We're doing a big advertising campaign.
29:26 We're placing ads in local and ethnic media.
29:29 We have been meeting endlessly with a lot of ethnic media
29:32 outlets to talk to them about these things.
29:34 So we try and do a whole host of ways of reaching the public
29:38 beyond just NotifyNYC.
29:39 My question for you is it's becoming extremely--
29:43 I want to make sure that you know that for older adults,
29:46 it's a live person who answers the phone.
29:49 And we count on you to give out the information
29:52 so that everyone can help us.
29:54 So it's 212-244-6469.
29:57 And if you don't know how to access the map,
30:00 you can go there and get information.
30:03 What I was going to ask you, since becoming extreme weather
30:06 czar, whether you think the criticisms of the city's
30:10 response to some extreme events have been warranted,
30:13 such as the air quality a year ago,
30:16 even with the way recently some of the flooding advisories,
30:20 you've heard these questions about, well,
30:22 you're just leaving it up to NotifyNYC.
30:25 I'm sorry.
30:25 Could you repeat the beginning part of your question?
30:28 Are you satisfied with the way the city has responded
30:30 to crises in the last year?
30:32 And what do you still want to see improved?
30:34 Yeah, so I think that when it comes down to it,
30:36 every single thing that happens in the city,
30:38 there is an opportunity for improvement.
30:40 And this administration is constantly
30:43 striving to make sure that we are improving every aspect of
30:45 how we deliver services.
30:47 We meet together regularly as a team.
30:50 It's not just me.
30:51 There are a few other folks.
30:52 I meet with Commissioner Isko on a regular basis.
30:54 And we are focused on the seasons as they are coming up,
30:57 what we need to do, making sure that agencies are prepared.
31:00 And the agencies are prepared.
31:01 So I'm looking forward to continuing
31:04 to serve in this role.
31:05 And I think we will continue to show up for New Yorkers.
31:08 Hi.
31:09 I guess this question is for both the mayor
31:10 and for the OEM commissioner.
31:12 I know you said you're relaunching the Know Your Zone.
31:15 Is that just an advertising?
31:16 Or are you adjusting some of the maps?
31:18 And additionally, are you going to capture not just
31:20 the coastal flooding that's in the Know Your Zone,
31:22 the Zone A, B, or 123, however it is,
31:24 but also some of the non-coastal flooding
31:26 that we see in non-hurricane rain events?
31:29 So first off, I love your question.
31:34 It really is.
31:34 It's a fantastic question.
31:35 Because it's not something that a lot of people
31:37 really understand in terms of the different types of flooding
31:41 we need to contend with.
31:42 So the data that we use for updating the hurricane
31:46 evacuation zone, I think it was last updated.
31:49 And we get that from the federal government.
31:51 I can give you the exact year, but it
31:53 was a few years ago when we actually
31:54 updated the specific zones.
31:57 The Know Your Zone campaign is really
31:58 about making sure everybody knows what zone
32:01 that they live in.
32:03 Those zones have not changed that much or that drastically.
32:06 One of the big changes that occurred after Sandy
32:08 was going from three zones to six.
32:10 We don't have a big change like that.
32:12 But I think your question gets to the other point of you
32:16 may or may not live in a coastal flooding zone.
32:19 And so one of the big dangers from hurricanes is not winds.
32:24 It's not rain.
32:24 It can be.
32:25 But the big hazard is really coastal flooding.
32:28 You're familiar with Jamaica Bay,
32:30 water getting pushed into Jamaica Bay,
32:32 into New York Harbor.
32:33 That is something that we can model pretty effectively
32:36 based on the strength of the storm, wind direction,
32:39 at the time, rainfall.
32:41 The entire city is in a rainfall flood zone, the entire city.
32:49 And so if you have an event like we did on September 28, 29,
32:54 where you have significant rainfalls above the forecast
32:57 that ends up coming in at the high tide
33:00 cycle in parts of Brooklyn, you're
33:02 going to have much more significant flooding
33:03 than if that rainfall had just been half a mile away
33:06 and somewhere else.
33:08 And so we're still working.
33:09 We have flood sensors that we have
33:11 been putting around the city.
33:12 We're working closely with NYU, with DEP,
33:14 to get better data about how we model that.
33:17 The National Weather Service is doing a lot more
33:19 to change some of the ways that they proactively message
33:22 and changing some of the focus of their forecasting
33:25 around looking at what the potential impacts could be.
33:29 But the science is not there yet in the way
33:33 it is with coastal flooding to be
33:35 able to tell you with that level of accuracy
33:37 where the flooding will occur when you have storms.
33:41 [INAUDIBLE]
33:42 --data from prior--
33:42 and I know from Hurricane Ida's remnants in 2021,
33:46 there's prior data--
33:47 the data you have from prior storms.
33:48 And there's additionally, the city had at that time
33:50 a map of places that are prone to flooding.
33:52 I'm thinking of the neighborhoods
33:53 in parts of Flushing where you had houses built on what
33:56 happened in Tributary River.
33:57 Of course, it's going to flood you.
33:59 Parts of Woodside Queens where people died,
34:01 Ridgewood where people died.
34:02 So do you have that data to kind of--
34:03 We have a rainfall flood map that
34:06 shows what areas are more prone.
34:07 The problem is you don't know where
34:08 the rain is going to fall.
34:09 With coastal flooding, you know where the water is going to go
34:12 with pretty good accuracy.
34:14 With rainfall, you don't know where in the city
34:16 the rain is actually going to fall.
34:19 You could have 10 inches of rainfall in Central Park.
34:22 You could have 10 inches of rainfall in Southern Manhattan.
34:24 Very different events.
34:26 And that's where it's very difficult in terms of--
34:29 and that's one of the reasons that when you get
34:31 the National Weather Service alerts,
34:33 we push that out through Notify.
34:34 When we start talking about the weathers,
34:36 that people understand the differences between mornings,
34:39 watching, watches, different types of statements,
34:42 so that they know what they need to be paying attention to.
34:45 Because things can change very, very quickly with rainfall.
34:48 Hi, my name's Elijah Hutchinson.
34:52 I'm the executive director of the mayor's office
34:54 of Climate and Environmental Justice.
34:56 And as part of our environmental justice work,
34:58 we just released a new online mapping tool at EJNYC.
35:03 And what that will do is it created a new indicator called
35:06 the Flood Vulnerability Index, which
35:08 looks at multiple types of hazards of flooding
35:12 and also social and environmental characteristics
35:15 for all neighborhoods across New York City,
35:18 so that there's flood vulnerability identified today
35:20 and into the future through 2100.
35:23 So if anybody has concerns or is looking for other information,
35:27 we've actually integrated the cooling centers
35:29 and other information into that map itself, too,
35:32 so that people can access it online at any time.
35:34 That's EJNYC.
35:35 We have time for one more.
35:37 Go ahead.
35:38 All right.
35:38 Thanks.
35:39 This one's for the mayor.
35:40 You'd mentioned the Parks Department
35:42 planting 18,000 trees.
35:45 Were some of these trees specifically
35:48 placed in urban neighborhoods that are disproportionately
35:50 affected by the heat?
35:52 Sue?
35:53 Yes, right here.
35:54 Oh, we always like calling Sue.
35:55 Yes, exactly.
35:57 Yes, thank you.
35:58 We absolutely have.
35:59 We have prioritized what we call heat vulnerability
36:02 neighborhoods.
36:03 So there's a heat vulnerability index,
36:05 and that is where we're prioritizing our tree
36:08 planting.
36:09 So we have planted 15,000 today.
36:11 We've got another 3,000 that are coming.
36:14 Those are very much targeted towards those heat vulnerability
36:17 index neighborhoods.
36:18 Yes, thank you.
36:19 [INAUDIBLE]
36:22 [MUSIC PLAYING]
36:25 [INAUDIBLE]
36:29 [INAUDIBLE]
36:32 This one's off topic.
36:33 Did you see or hear about the guy that
36:35 posted on social about going to Times Square today?
36:39 And is there going to be enhanced security
36:43 that he's going to go shoot up Times Square today?
36:46 NYPD has not briefed me on it, but we're looking to it.
36:48 But they respond rapidly to these things on social media.
36:51 Thank you.
36:52 Thank you.
36:53 [BLANK_AUDIO]