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Westchester County hurricane guide

The Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, in White Plains, includes the county's Office of Emergency Management. The county has a Hurricane Planning Zone map covering areas especially vulnerable to storm surge, coastal flooding and wind. It tells residents to find out whether their home is in a hurricane evacuation zone, and says that if you live in a low lying coastal area you may be directed to evacuate and should comply immediately. Pets are not allowed in public shelters for health reasons, so plan for them.

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 Westchester County Department of Emergency Services. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

What to know in Westchester County

  • Westchester County runs a voluntary Special Needs Registry for residents who may need help if they have to evacuate. Applications are screened, and the confidential list is shared with local, state and federal agencies involved in an emergency response.

Emergency and information numbers

Service Number Notes
Emergency 911 Police, fire, and ambulance. Call only when someone's life or property is in danger.
Emergency management office 914-995-2000 Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains. Main county line shown on the department's website. Not for emergencies.
County Police 914-864-7700 Westchester County Police. Westchester County has no sheriff's patrol. The county lists this number for county parkway conditions during storms.

Official alerts and information

  • Westchester County Emergency Alert Sign-Up: The county's emergency notification system for residents and people who work in the county, by email, text, or phone message. The county says it is used only for a major disaster or catastrophe. Website.
  • Westchester County Hurricane Information: The county's official hurricane information page. Website.

Evacuation zones

Westchester County's Hurricane Planning Zone marks areas that may be especially vulnerable to storm surge, coastal flooding and wind. Open the county's map and enter your address to find out whether your home is in a hurricane evacuation zone. The county tells residents in low lying areas to plan an evacuation route and destination and be ready to leave on the recommendation of local officials. If you live in a low lying coastal area you may be directed to evacuate, and the county says to comply immediately and to stay with friends or family outside the affected area when possible. Evacuation orders for your neighborhood would be announced by local officials.

Look up your evacuation zone

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.

Westchester County does not publish a standing list of hurricane shelters on the pages we checked. Follow local officials, who will tell you if you have to evacuate and where to go. Do not go to a site until it is announced as open. The county says pets are not allowed into public shelters for health reasons, so make plans to care for your pets. Residents who may need help to evacuate can apply for the county's Special Needs Registry.

Official list of open evacuation centers

Help to evacuate

  • Special Needs Registry: A voluntary registry for residents who may need assistance if they have to evacuate. Applications are screened. Call the Department of Emergency Services at 914-995-2000 with questions. Website.

Cities and towns

Each city has its own services and some have their own alerts. The county's evacuation zones, evacuation centers, and emergency alerts cover everyone, in every city and in unincorporated areas.

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Sources

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