NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday announced a pre-landfall federal declaration issued by President Joe Biden.
The federal disaster declaration was issued for state counties including Bronx, Kings, Queens, New York, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester.
"Tropical Storm Henri is already causing issues on Long Island and New York City with heavy rain, flooding, and downed trees," Cuomo said. "I applaud and thank President Biden for his decision to issue a pre-landfall disaster declaration for New York, and I am directing our State agencies to deploy additional emergency response assets to areas likely to be impacted by this storm."
The declaration directs state agencies to deploy additional emergency response assets to areas including Long Island, New York City, and Hudson Valley as Tropical Storm Henri Continues to Impact these areas with Surge and Heavy Rain through Monday.
Parts of New York City and Long Island have already seen up to six inches of rain in some locations and sustained winds of 70 mph continue to batter the coast.
The dangerous storm surge combined with high tide likely to result in 3 to 5 feet of water above-ground in normally dry locations on Long Island.
"As always, we will do everything we can to help our local partners with any and all response and recovery operations," Cuomo added. "This storm is unpredictable and, although it appears to be moving further east, the threats of storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, high winds, and power outages remain very real."
"Now is the time to be smart - pay close attention to weather reports, and, for the safety of yourself, your family, and responders, avoid any unnecessary travel."
The storm is expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain over Long Island, New York City, and southeast New York today into Monday, with isolated totals near 10 inches. This will likely result in flash, urban, and small stream flooding, and the potential for minor to moderate river flooding.
Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles.
Several watches and warnings have already been issued by the National Weather Service.
On Saturday, Governor Cuomo activated 500 National Guard troops for deployment to Long Island and the Hudson Valley region to help localities with storm response efforts, and they remain on standby ready to assist where needed.
The New York State Emergency Operations Center was activated Sunday morning with staff from multiple state agencies to coordinate emergency response activities.
State agencies, including Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Police, and Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, deployed water rescue teams to the Hudson Valley, and rescue team New York Task Force-2 was deployed to Long Island.
Department of Transportation
The State Department of Transportation is prepared to respond with more than 3,200 supervisors and operators available statewide. To support storm response activities in critical areas, three signal bucket trucks, one vacuum truck with sewer jet, four loader-grapple attachments, and four chippers are being deployed to Long Island.
67 out-of-region maintenance operators and supervisors as well as traffic signal crew members were deployed to Long Island on Saturday.
A total of 125 generators with extended fuel capabilities are being deployed to the Mid-Hudson region and Long Island to bolster existing inventories. The need for additional resource deployments will be continually evaluated throughout the event.
Currently, regional crews are engaged in rain/flood/tree debris response preparations, including:
Drainage inlets, culverts and other drainage structures are being inspected and cleared of accumulated debris. Inspections will continue throughout the event.Routine patrols will be conducted to maintain awareness of general conditions.Flood/debris response tools (generators, pumps, chainsaws, light plants, chippers, grapples, hand tools, etc.) are being readied for immediate dispatch.
All available rain/flood/wind response equipment is ready to deploy. Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:
1,329 large dump trucks51 loader-grapple attachments294 loaders14 vac trucks w/sewer jet34 tracked excavators43 wheeled excavators56 tractor trailers w/ lowboy trailer11 tree crew bucket trucks36 traffic signal trucks6 water pumps (4-6 inch)73 chippers 10" (min) capacity
All affected residency locations will be staffed for 24/7 operations throughout the duration of the event. Mechanic support will be available 24/7 to keep response equipment operational. Flood/debris quick-response crews will be pre-staged in the Long Island and Mid-Hudson regions overnight Saturday to perform immediate response to any needs that arise.
Thruway Authority
The Thruway Authority has 664 operators and supervisors prepared to respond to any wind or flood related issues across the state with small to medium sized excavators, plow/dump trucks, large loaders, portable VMS boards, portable light towers, smaller generators, smaller pumps and equipment hauling trailers, as well as signage and other traffic control devices available for any detours or closures. Variable Message Signs, Highway Advisory Radio and social media are utilized to alert motorists of weather conditions on the Thruway.
New York State Police
State Police swiftwater teams consist of two airboats and two rigid hull inflatable boats, along with two teams of trained troopers available on 12-hour shifts. Additional personnel will be deployed to affected areas as needed. All four-wheel drive vehicles and all specialty vehicles, including Utility Terrain Vehicles, are in-service.
Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, Emergency Management staff, and regional staff are on alert and monitoring the developing situation and actively patrolling areas and infrastructure likely to be impacted by severe weather. All available assets, including swiftwater rescue teams and sawyers, are positioned to assist with any emergency response.
Department of Public Service
New York's utilities have approximately 11,000 workers available to engage in damage assessment, response, repair and restoration efforts across the State. Department of Public Service staff will track the utilities' work throughout the storm event and will ensure utilities shift the appropriate staffing to the regions impacted the most by Henri. There are currently approximately 1,700 electric customer outages statewide, with more than 1,100 in Suffolk County.
New York Power Authority
The New York Power Authority has secured and prepared all transmission and generation assets and is ready to support power restoration activities as needed. NYPA and the New York State Canal Corporation are proactively communicating and collaborating with sister state agencies, as well as with regional and local emergency preparedness professionals. NYPA's transmission operations team has positioned staff, including line crews and drone pilots to assess any damage, in potentially affected areas.
NYPA incident command leaders and staff are monitoring weather conditions and forecasts to ensure ongoing preparedness, response efforts, and continuity of operations.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is taking all necessary precautions to protect its transportation network and deliver safe service. MTA agencies are working closely together, coordinating with local partners to develop plans should service be impacted.
The MTA is deploying additional personnel and prepositioning essential backup equipment across commuter railroads, subways, and agency's bridges and tunnels.
The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad have suspended commuter railroad service in the certain areas projected to experience heavy impacts.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels has enacted a soft ban of empty and/or tandem trailers through at least 11 p.m. Sunday night. Tractor trailers with empty and/or tandem trailers are to use alternate routes.
On the subway, maintenance personnel will inspect track drains in flood-prone areas, and check and stage track pumps and storm boxes prior to the storms.
The MTA encourages customers to take extra precautions when traveling during heavy rain and winds. This includes allowing for extra travel time, taking extra caution when walking on platforms and stairs, watching for slippery conditions and being mindful for overhead foliage or wires.
Port Authority
The Port Authority is monitoring weather conditions across all its facilities. The airlines are reporting significant flight cancellations at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Airports for Sunday and passengers are asked to contact their carriers on flight status before heading to the airport. The JFK and LGA Emergency Operations Centers have been activated at Level 2 to centralize communications and operational information. Drivers using Port Authority bridges and tunnels are encouraged to visit the agency's website in the event of reduced speed limits on bridges because of high winds, or due to flooding.