New York hurricane guide¶

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) coordinates state emergency response and recovery, and its Office of Emergency Management (OEM) works with local governments and runs a Watch Center that tracks emergencies around the clock. The main hurricane dangers are storm surge and wind on Long Island, New York City, and the lower Hudson Valley, and heavy rain and river flooding inland, including the Catskills and the Southern Tier. DHSES tells residents to be ready to make it on their own for at least 10 days. Sign up for NY-Alert and follow your county and city emergency managers.

Checked on October 9, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

Counties¶

Choose your county. Each county page has its emergency numbers, evacuation zones, and shelters, and lists its cities and towns.

More places are on the way. Until yours is listed, see the official sources page or call 211.

What to know in New York¶

Hurricane Irene (August 2011) and the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (September 2011) both brought major flooding to New York, and each received a federal major disaster declaration.
Hurricane Sandy (October 2012) drove a storm surge of 9.41 feet at The Battery in Manhattan, with a storm tide of 14.06 feet, and seawater poured into subway tunnels.
The remnants of Hurricane Ida (September 1 to 3, 2021) caused deadly flash flooding in New York City and the lower Hudson Valley and received a federal major disaster declaration.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Service	Number	Notes
Emergency	911	Police, fire, and ambulance. Call only when someone's life or property is in danger.
211 New York	211	Free, confidential help finding food, housing, utilities, and disaster assistance, 24 hours a day. You can also text your ZIP code to 898-211. It is not an emergency line.

Official alerts and information¶

NY-Alert: The state's free alert system for severe weather, highway closures, and other emergencies, by phone, email, or text. Sign up before a storm at alert.ny.gov. Website.
Your county and city alert system: Many counties and New York City run their own alert systems. The state's directory lists each local emergency management office with alert links. See your county page. Website.

Statewide resources¶

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES): The state agency that coordinates response and recovery by state agencies during emergencies and disasters. Website.
Office of Emergency Management (DHSES): Runs the State Watch Center and the state command center, and helps local governments plan, train, and recover. The Contact OEM page lists headquarters and regional offices. Website.
Before an emergency (DHSES): Four steps to preparedness: make a plan, build a supplies kit, be aware, and get involved. DHSES says to be prepared to make it on your own for at least 10 days. Website.
Local emergency management offices: Address, main phone number, and alert links for each county and New York City. Website.
511NY: Live traffic and travel information map from the state Department of Transportation. Website.
211 New York: Dial 211, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or search online. Website.

Evacuation centers¶

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

Shelters open only when officials announce them, and New York has no statewide list. Counties and New York City announce which shelters are open, so follow your local emergency management office and NY-Alert. Find your local office in the state directory. If officials tell you to evacuate, leave right away.

Radio, TV and weather¶

Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.

Official forecasts¶

National Weather Service New York/Upton: Forecasts, watches, and warnings for New York City, Long Island, and the lower Hudson Valley. The office is in Upton, on Long Island. Phone: 631-924-0517. Website.
National Weather Service Albany: Forecasts, watches, and warnings for the Capital Region, the Mohawk and upper Hudson valleys, and nearby areas. Phone: 518-626-7570. Website.
National Weather Service Binghamton: Forecasts, watches, and warnings for the Southern Tier and central New York. Phone: 607-729-1597. Website.
National Hurricane Center: Official hurricane forecasts, watches, and warnings. Website.

Power, water and debris¶

Con Edison: Outage map for New York City and Westchester County. Report outages online or in the Con Edison app. Assume every downed line is live and stay away. Website.
PSEG Long Island: Report an outage 24 hours a day at 800-490-0075, by texting OUT to 773454, or online. The page has a MyPower outage map. Always assume wires are live, and call 800-490-0075 or 911 for downed lines. Website.
Central Hudson: Outage reporting and outage map for the mid-Hudson Valley. Assume every downed line is live and stay away. Website.
Orange and Rockland (O&R): Outage map. To report an outage, call 877-434-4100, text OUT to 69678, or report online at oru.com/ReportOutage. Stay at least 50 feet from downed wires. Website.
National Grid (upstate New York): To report an outage, call 800-867-5222, any hour. For a gas emergency, call 800-892-2345 or 911. Website.

Sources¶

Checked on October 9, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.