Hurricane evacuation zones are areas that may be affected by storm surge flooding. The City uses data from the National Weather Service, topographic maps, and actual events to define areas that are most at risk.

During coastal storms, evacuation areas are identified by the assigned zone.

You can find out:

• If you live in a hurricane evacuation zone
• The hazards you may face from a hurricane
• How to prepare for a hurricane
• Locations of hurricane evacuation centers

Look up your hurricane evacuation zone and find evacuation centers near you.

Everyone in your household should have a Go Bag; a collection of things you would want if you have to leave in a hurry. Your Go Bag should be sturdy and easy to carry, like a backpack or a small suitcase on wheels. You'll need to customize your Go Bag for your personal needs.

Pack your Go Bag with the following items:

• Bottled water and nonperishable food, such as granola bars
• Copies of your important documents in a waterproof container (e.g., insurance cards, Medicare/Medicaid cards, photo IDs, proof of address, marriage and birth certificates, copies of credit and ATM cards)
• Flashlight, hand-crank or battery-operated AM/FM radio, and extra batteries
• List of the medications you take, why you take them, and their dosages
• Contact information for your household and members of your support network
• Cash, in small bills
• Notepad and pen
• Back-up medical equipment (e.g., glasses, batteries) and chargers
• Aerosol tire repair kits and/or tire inflator to repair flat wheelchair or scooter tires
• Supplies for your service animal or pet (e.g., food, extra water, bowl, leash, cleaning items, vaccination records, and medications)
• Portable cell phone chargers
• Other personal items

Include items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, including hand sanitizer, and face coverings for each person.

Keep enough supplies in the home to survive for up to seven days.

Include such items as:

• One gallon of drinking water per person per day
• Nonperishables, ready-to-eat canned foods, and a manual can opener
• First-aid kit
• Medications, including a list of the medications you take, why you take them, and their dosages
• Flashlight or battery-powered lantern
• Glow sticks
• Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries, or wind-up radios that do not require batteries
• Whistle or bell
• Back-up medical equipment, if possible (e.g., oxygen, medication, scooter battery, hearing aids, mobility aids, glasses, facemasks, gloves)
• Style and serial numbers of medical devices (such as pacemakers) and usage instructions

The Ready New York: My Emergency Plan + Hurricanes and New York City is an interactive workbook designed to help New Yorkers, especially those with disabilities and access and functional needs, create an emergency plan. 

My Emergency Plan walks users through:

• Establishing a support network
• Capturing important health information 
• Evacuation planning
• Gathering emergency supplies
• How to prepare for a hurricane, including a map detailing hurricane evacuation zones and routes in New York City

The Ready New York: Hurricanes and New York City guide is now included in the My Emergency Plan workbook.

The workbook is available in the following languages:

• English
• Spanish
• Chinese
• Russian
• Arabic
• Bengali
• French
• Haitian Creole
• Italian
• Korean
• Polish
• Urdu
• Yiddish

Online

Download Ready New York: My Emergency Plan.

By Mail

You can get tips on how to place and dispose of your sandbags.

Sandbag Placement

It may not be necessary to surround your entire property with sandbags. For most, focusing on doorways and drains may be enough to reduce flood impacts. Place the bags parallel to the direction of potential water flow.

If stacking them, tamp down on the bags before placing the next row. Don’t place each bag right on top of the one below it; instead, stagger them.

Sandbag Disposal

Sandbags that have been exposed to floodwater need to be disposed of immediately and not reused. Floodwater may contaminate sandbags. Wear protective equipment when handling sandbags that have been exposed.

Do not allow sand to wash into catch basins, which will potentially clog them and make flooding worse in the future.

Sand that has not gotten wet can also be used as topsoil or general fill material.