New York City officials told Queens community board members on Tuesday that residents should take steps now to reduce flood and heat risks during the June–November storm season and the city’s concurrent heat season.

Borough commissioner Alfonso Lopez, Queens borough commissioner for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, said the city treats flooding as coming from three sources — stormwater, coastal flooding and groundwater — and emphasized investments and household-level prevention. “Our sewers handle 98% of our rain events,” Lopez said, and DEP’s capital plan includes large sewer upgrades, he said.

The message matters because August through October historically carry the greatest hurricane risk for the city. New York City Emergency Management Special Projects Administrator Dustin Ridener asked residents to know their evacuation zones, sign up for Notify NYC and plan for transit and shelter cutoffs: “Generally, about 72 hours out from 0 hour for a coastal storm hitting New York City, is when the potential evacuation will be called,” Ridener said.

City officials described prevention and tools for homeowners and renters. DEP recommended basic measures — filling foundation cracks, rerouting downspouts, installing inflatable door barriers and using flood sensors and sump pumps with long discharge hoses — to stop water from entering basements. Lopez also noted DEP will require new and redeveloped properties to manage more stormwater on-site under the agency’s 2022 stormwater rule.

Ridener outlined evacuation logistics and timelines: subways typically make their last runs about eight hours before a storm’s landfall, buses about six hours before, and bridges and tunnels can begin closing about two hours before impact. He urged residents to pack a “go bag” with medications, documents, pet supplies and chargers and recommended moving vehicles to higher ground when possible.

Officials described outreach and distribution programs. DEP has distributed flood kits that include small pumps, water barriers and alarms; Ridener said OEM also gives out cooling towels and tries to target equipment like flood alarms to neighborhoods with higher need. He pointed residents to the Know Your Zone website and QR-mapped evacuation guides for the most current evacuation-center listings and said OEM can ship printed maps on request to community boards.

On insurance, officials pointed to options but warned limits: borough leaders noted residents in chronically flooded locations often have trouble obtaining private flood coverage; DEP referenced American Water Resources (AWR) programs billed through DEP as one option and Ridener suggested renters consider renters insurance for contents. Officials encouraged filing 311 requests with photos or video to create accountability for drainage and sewer issues.

Officials also warned about indirect risks: coastal storm surge, high winds and prolonged post-storm heat or power outages can compound danger, particularly for people who rely on electrically powered medical equipment.

For resources and follow-up, Ridener offered OEM’s community-boards address and his contact for printed evacuation maps, and DEP asked boards to send locations where green infrastructure or drainage attention is wanted.

The presentations included several offers to follow up: DEP said it would check status on green-infrastructure funding and compile lists of requests; OEM said it would check the Know Your Zone map filters and fulfill map orders submitted to communityboards@oem.nyc.gov.