Rockaway leaders press city for local evacuation signage, printed maps and a peninsula-specific plan
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Summary
Community Board 14 officials accused city agencies of leaving Rockaway without adequate localized evacuation signage, printed maps and a coordinated pick‑up plan for residents with limited internet access; OEM and DOT officials outlined constraints and offered follow-up.
Rockaway Peninsula community leaders told New York City Emergency Management and other agencies on Tuesday that tourists, visitors and residents without reliable internet or smartphone access need clearer, local evacuation signage and a more explicit peninsula evacuation framework.
Felicia Johnson, district manager for Community Board 14, said the area’s single-access geography and limited connectivity make reliance on QR codes and online tools inadequate. “To say that that’s the only way they’re gonna get information, I think it’s a disservice to my community,” Johnson said.
Dustin Ridener of New York City Emergency Management said OEM does not produce road signage and that signage is typically DOT’s responsibility, but OEM will supply printed evacuation maps on request and check the Know Your Zone website filters if they are not functioning. “We do not produce signage at OEM… That's usually a DOT issue,” Ridener said.
Community members reported practical problems: printed maps ordered through OEM had not arrived for some boards despite repeated requests; Ridener asked boards to email communityboards@oem.nyc.gov with language and quantity needs so OEM staff can ship map packs (OEM maps are printed in multi‑language packs of 50).
Rockaway officials also pressed for localized pickup plans for residents who cannot self-evacuate. Ridener described existing systems for medically dependent or homebound residents — ambulance and coordinated hospital plans — and urged 311 requests for assistance. He also said bus pickup or more localized evacuation actions typically require interagency planning and that OEM’s evacuation approach for New York City favors flexibility because multiple in‑ and outbound routes across the city can create congestion if a single contraflow route is enforced.
Board leaders requested OEM return to Rockaway for additional discussions; Ridener offered further follow-up on signage and map distribution. DOT and other agencies present were asked to consider whether locally installed signs or permanent printed materials could be added to the peninsula’s outreach toolkit.