New York City orders the evacuation of 250,000 people

Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:07 pm » by **domdabears**

Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City ordered the mandatory evacuation of around 250,000 residents as ordinarily jaded New York City residents threw themselves into a frenzy of preparation for Hurricane Irene.

The National Weather Service issued a hurricane watch for the city and much of the surrounding region, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency. Torrential rains, flash floods, and winds of more than 100 mph are expected, beginning Saturday evening.

Irene itself is currently projected to hit the city on Sunday afternoon as a Category 1 hurricane -- meaning a major storm -- but both the timing and the severity could change.

Because the city's hundreds of miles of coastline are densely developed, hurricanes can do more damage in the city than those of similar strength that hit the southern United States, the city's emergency management agency said.

Among the developments:

• Mayor Bloomberg said all 250,000 New Yorkers living in low-lying areas -- including neighborhoods like Coney Island in Brooklyn, the Rockaways in Queens, and Battery Park City in Manhattan, as well as many others -- will be required to evacuate. This color-coded map (pdf), put out by the mayor's office, shows the areas that are affected.

• The city began evacuations Friday morning of 22 hospitals and nursing homes in low-lying areas, to be completed by 8pm Friday.

• Emergency planning officials instructed residents to stock up on supplies, identify an alternative place to sleep in the event of an evacuation, and prepare a "go bag" of essentials.

• Gov. Cuomo announced a shutdown of all New York City subway trains and buses, as well as commuter trains to the suburbs, starting at noon Saturday, and perhaps lasting until Monday or beyond. "It's hard to predict when it will come back," MTA chairman Jay Walder said.

• Cuomo also said that major bridges into and out of Manhattan and the other boroughs would be closed if winds reach 60 mph, as seems likely.

• On the bright side, the city also said New Yorkers won't need to worry about feeding parking meters this weekend.

• Airlines, especially those at low-lying JFK International, have delayed some flights and prepared shuttle buses to take stranded travelers to hotels.

• Some city stores ran short of emergency necessities like batteries, flashlights and bottled water.

• More than 300 street fairs and other events requiring city permits -- including a concert on Governor's Island by the Dave Matthews Band -- were canceled, as was a certain Yahoo! News reporter's Saturday afternoon barbecue.

• Both St. John's and Columbia unversities said they were postponing the move-in date for new students to Monday from Sunday.

Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:10 pm » by **Troll2rocks**

Be safe NY, do not go out.

Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:19 pm » by **Giusdude**

Troll, we are tougher than a little wind....
I am sandbagging my basement and buying 20 gallons of water, I admit (wife did weekly food shopping yesterday).
It surprises me that they shut down the subway, it must be really something.
I'll see if I can take some pics to post on here.

Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:25 pm » by **Smokeydog**

so whats this mean you have to get out? or is it we advise u to get the f*ck outa dodge?

Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:28 pm » by **domdabears**

I'm sure it's an advisory.

Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:30 pm » by **domdabears**

LOL I guess if I thoroughly read the first sentence, It say's mandatory.
Hmm..

Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:31 pm » by **Smokeydog**

domdabears wrote:LOL I guess if I thoroughly read the first sentence, It say's mandatory.
Hmm..

yeah i know but still lol are they gonna force u out?

Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:33 pm » by **Troll2rocks**

giusdude wrote:Troll, we are tougher than a little wind....
I am sandbagging my basement and buying 20 gallons of water, I admit (wife did weekly food shopping yesterday).
It surprises me that they shut down the subway, it must be really something.
I'll see if I can take some pics to post on here.

Hey dude be safe, I seen the size of it on news it is going to be very bad, Reports are its the biggest ever, as reported by UK news anyway, so stay in keep safe, glad to know you are prepared.

And yeh if you can snap it safely then cool, be interesting to see.

Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:36 pm » by **domdabears**

smokeydog wrote:
domdabears wrote:LOL I guess if I thoroughly read the first sentence, It say's mandatory.
Hmm..

yeah i know but still lol are they gonna force u out?

I have no idea.
Never been in a situation like this.
I wonder the same thing.

Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:38 pm » by **Iamthatiam**