Dear Neighbor,

In response to the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Irene, Mayor Bloomberg has ordered the mandatory evacuation of all “Zone A” areas in New York City. If you live in Zone A, you must seek shelter outside of the mandatory evacuation zone by 5:00 PM Saturday.

To find out if you live in Zone A, consult this map.

I strongly advise that you and your family vacate Zone A as soon as possible. By tomorrow at noon, all MTA subway and bus service, as well as PATH train and other commuter rail service, will be suspended. Due to high winds, bridges may close and Staten Island Ferry service may be interrupted. Moving to a location outside Zone A before tomorrow is the best way to ensure your trip goes smoothly. For those of you without friends or family to stay with over the weekend, here is a list of evacuation centers that will accommodate you.

Every New Yorker should be prepared for a high intensity storm, even those outside Zone A. If you have any questions about how to prepare for Hurricane Irene, the NYC Office of Emergency Management website has information on what to do and other resources to consult.

Despite the beautiful weather this afternoon, the conditions expected for Saturday evening though Sunday evening are truly extreme and should be taken seriously. If you live in a Zone A area, I urge you to follow instructions to evacuate.

Sincerely,

Scott M. Stringer,
Manhattan Borough President

(YWN Desk – NYC)