| New York is vulnerable to a variety of natural | | | | off. |
| disasters. The risk is so great that New York City | | | | Homes are less like to have problems with |
| has an Office of Emergency Management to help | | | | wildfires if trash and flammable materials are |
| residents and business owners prepare for the | | | | disposed of properly. Flammable chemicals and |
| worst. Officials in New York are most concerned | | | | unused firewood should be stored in a location |
| about fires, floods, and severe weather like | | | | away from the home. The roof and gutters |
| hurricanes and winter storms. Read on to learn | | | | should also be kept clear of leaves and other |
| how to protect yourself from New York's natural | | | | debris that easily dry out. |
| hazards. | | | | Floods |
| Storms and Hurricanes | | | | Intense rain causes flash floods in New York. The |
| It has been calculated that a Category 4 hurricane | | | | heavy rains have sometimes caused sewers to |
| would cause a storm surge so great that it would | | | | back up into homes and businesses. Much of the |
| send water 6 miles up Flatbush Avenue in | | | | infrastructure of New York cannot handle rain |
| Brooklyn. Coastal storms and hurricanes affect | | | | that falls at a rate of more than one inch per |
| New York often. The densely populated New | | | | hour. This is especially true for the lower lying |
| York coastline makes this state especially | | | | areas. |
| vulnerable to damage from tropical storms and | | | | Severe Weather |
| hurricanes. | | | | New York is not a stranger to wild weather like |
| Those who live within 10 blocks of a coastal area | | | | hail, extreme heat, thunderstorms, and strong |
| are advised to have an emergency disaster plan | | | | winds. It is estimated that lightening hits the |
| and kit should an evacuation be ordered. It will | | | | Empire State Building 23 times each year. |
| only take winds of up 70 mph to topple buildings | | | | Tornadoes are not unheard in some parts of New |
| and trees. Heavy rains could cause a storm surge | | | | York state. |
| that would inundate parts of the coastline with up | | | | Winter Weather |
| to 30 feet of water. | | | | New York gets dangerously cold in the winter. |
| Those who live in high-rise apartment buildings in a | | | | The winter weather makes roads icy and slippery, |
| coastal area should make plans to evacuate in the | | | | causing traffic accidents. Additionally, the FDNY |
| event of a tropical storm. | | | | fields many reports of fires caused by fireplaces |
| Fires | | | | and electric heaters. Flooding is often reported |
| The brush in the grasslands of New York is | | | | because of frozen pipes bursting. |
| known to catch fire during the hot dry months of | | | | To prevent such domestic catastrophes, make |
| the summer. | | | | sure heating systems and pipes are well prepared |
| Residents are encouraged to keep their plants and | | | | for the freezing weather. |
| lawns well hydrated, weeds tamed, and grass | | | | Disasters that are officially declared by U.S. |
| mowed. Plants and trees should not be grown | | | | government have been caused by weather 90% |
| near homes, and one is encouraged to plant | | | | of the time every year. Residents of New York |
| vegetation that is less likely to catch fire when | | | | can prepare for disastrous event by evaluating |
| landscaping. Any wood that is dead should be | | | | the risks in their area, creating an emergency |
| removed from trees, and branches that are less | | | | disaster plan, and packing an emergency kit. |
| than 10 feet from the ground should be trimmed | | | | |