Here Comes A Storm: 4 Quick Tips To Be Ready

⛔️ Today /tonight: NYC is under a “severe thunderstorm” warning and here are some quick tips to help in the next few hours.

While we don’t expect what Florida is dealing with (8+ inches of water in last few days)….

…but we do know what just 1 inch of cloudburst water can do in NYC (see related story What 1 Inch of Rain Can Do). And it will be here soon. Yes, with more time, there are lots of ways to prepare. But that is NOT what this email is about.

So here are a few tips about about you can do in a few hours. 

1) Clear drains, around your place or on your block

I know, it’s not fun scooping leaves or trash away from your drain, but it can make a real difference. Drains are placed in sloped places to attract water (so it gets more than you think). Blocked drains will cause water to pool quickly and can overflow your doorways (happened to me), basement windows, or street.

Remember to:

• Wear a glove or use paper towel to protect (don’t know what’s in there)

• Look under the top drain plate - if you can lift it - as sometimes there are secondary layers / wire mesh below that are also blocked (see pic).

• Know of a city street drain that is clogged up? Report it here:

  

  NYC 311 Clogged Catch Basin, click here

2. Give your basement area a “little love”…now

Don’t wait for the water to come in…go down now and run down this check list:

Q: Is there anything that should be lifted off the ground?

A: Bags of clothes? Electronics? Artwork? Important Docs? Rugs? Lift them up!

Not only is it difficult when valuable things are wet/ruined, many of these are typically NOT covered by standard home insurance in the case of flooding. In fact, even flood insurance has a very specific list of “covered”things and many of these are not (see related story on Flood Insurance).

I almost threw my back out trying to lift a wet rug out of the basement….so heavy. Wish I had moved it when things were dry.

Q: Is the Sump Pump actually working?

A: Just because it’s there doesn’t mean the machine is all set.

Sump Pumps should be tested every so often, ideally once a month. The gaskets can dry out and machines can have other issues (why they say they should be replaced every 5-8 years. So go down there, pour some water in, and see if it kicks on.

Or if you cant add water easily, you can test it by gently lifting up the floating teether unit and then listen if the motor/pump kicks on…

If not working? You have some time to contact the supplier (visit Youtube for help videos) or your plumber and ask them how to spot check things.

🛑 UNPLUG IT if you are going to try to do any repairs.

Some helpful videos to testing Sump Pumps:

Want more Sump Pump detail on how they work, this guide seems useful.

3. Block it if you can

Q: Do you have a lower door or window where water comes in?

A: Block it.

Some people create brick or wooden barriers at their door threshold. But that takes some time and measurement (also can be a tripping hazard).

What maybe faster - but sounds extreme - is to get $40 flood barriers (example here) or sandbags (you can buy those or make them).

But if doing sandbags, you need to do the correct way, with alternating placement and pushed down so they seal against each other. See images below:

Q: Where get flood barriers or sandbags in NYC…quickly?

A: A few places (and it maybe easier to get than a pump).

Local hardware stores and big chains (Lowes, Grainger) will sell flood barriers and empty sandbags which are ideally made of the FEMA recommended material: Polypropylene.

With sandbags, you have decide how you want to fill them. Sand is heavy but great, but you can also use materials you may already have around your place, such as:

• dirt

• mud

• kitty litter

• gravel

• mulch

….and then roll it into a tube and place it.

Q: Don’t have time to get sandbags?

A: You can make them yourself.

You can also partially fill a trash bag with towels, blankets, or other soak-able items, tie it off, and roll it into a makeshift sandbag.

I also found a product below that is an expandable bag (just add water), which seems ideal for smaller NYC places that don’t have lots of space/storage. Unfortunately, they are sold out! But maybe for next time.

Q: Can’t I just use a tarp and re-direct the water?

A: Sure just know where you are directing it go so water doesn’t just come back in.

It’s not a good long-term solution, but in a pinch, it can help you redirect the water to a a better area. NOTE: tarps will move if heavy wind so you really need to really tie them down. Get tarps with gromet holes and extra rope.

How do you manage your flooding? Love to hear your story.

[email protected]

4. Take pics! Report what you see / experience

You are not alone, many people experience flooding now in NYC.

It helps to capture it, for insurance in particular (take before and after photos).

But also, photos help convey what is happening in your area the people in government and emergency response who need to know the extent and location. There are a few ways to do this:

• Submit to 311

  • Street flood: 311 submission form

  • Blocked drain: 311 submission form

• Submit to MyCoast Floodwatch

  • This helps track damage from cloudburst and coastal flooding. They grab and geocode your location from the image. This way you don’t need to type in the name or even click on a map (though you can manually set the location if it shows up wrong). That info is used to help drive study where problems occur and policy decisions around mitigation strategies.

  • Tip: suggest you download the app and pre-register so you are not messing with it during a flooding moment.

Examples of photos they gather and organize by location:

So, yes another storm is coming shortly NYC. Hope this is helpful.

Helpful sites:

Sign Up for NYC Official Alert System  https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/

NYC Resources for Property Owners https://www.nyc.gov/site/severeweather/resources/resources.page

FloodHelp NYC  https://www.floodhelpny.org/en/stormwater-flooding

NYC DEP Flood Prevention https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/environment/flood-prevention.page

City Flood Barrier Giveaway Program (from 23 but links to resources) https://www.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/rising-above.page

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