Thursday, July 1, 2021

Third Avenue Business Improvement District - Taking Care of Business

 

Annual Meeting of Membership to be Held July 28, 2021

If you are a registered member of the HUB / Third Avenue Merchants District Management Association, Inc. This memorandum serves as notice for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Membership. The Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 10:00am via Zoom. During the meeting we will ratify changes to the Bylaws and BID policies, fill vacant Board positions, and vote on the annual budget. Additionally, we will hear about new developments in the area which positively impact your business and / or property.

2021 Annual Meeting Notice















NYS OASAS AND NYSED ANNOUNCE OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PARTICIPATE IN STUDENT HEALTH SURVEYS

 

Youth Development Survey Engages Students in Grades 7-12 To Assess Risks of Underage Drinking, Substance Use, and Problem Gambling

 

Youth Risk Behavior Survey Measures 9th-12th Grade Students’ strengths and risks Related to Unintentional Injuries and Violence, Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Use, Dietary Behaviors, and Other Health Topics

Surveys Will Help School Districts and Local Communities Target the Specific Health and Prevention Needs of their Student Populations.

 The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and New York State Education Department (NYSED) today announced the opportunity for school districts across New York State to participate in the Youth Development Survey (YDS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YDS will assess substance-related risk and protective factors of students in grades 7-12 regarding underage drinking, substance use, and problem gambling. The YRBS measures 9th-12th grade students’ strengths and risks related to unintentional injuries and violence, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, dietary behaviors, physical activity, sexual behaviors, obesity and weight control and other health topics.

“We have a responsibility to keep our kids safe, and New York is focused on engaging with young people to assess substance-related health risks,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The Youth Development Survey directly engages students, and will help schools and communities target their services and prevention methods to combat these risks.”

OASAS and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) monitor student risk factors that impact health, safety, and academic success through voluntary student surveys. This information allows both agencies to identify student health and prevention needs and develop resources to help reduce and prevent future and current behavioral health issues.

OASAS will work with International Survey Associates (ISA), a national youth survey organization, to conduct the survey in November 2021. ISA will process and analyze the results and provide district-specific estimates of substance use and risk, as well as potential protective factors to address these risks. The reports are designed to enable districts to determine how their students compare to the surrounding area, as well as the rest of the state.

NYSED contracts with its technical assistance center, the NYS Center for School Health (NYSCSH), to administer the YRBS to 30 high schools randomly selected by the CDC. The schools selected will be notified in August. The YRBS measures 9th-12th grade students’ strengths and risks related to unintentional injuries and violence, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, dietary behaviors, physical activity, sexual behaviors, obesity and weight control, and other health topics. Only one to four classes in the selected high schools take the survey, which provides both New York State and National YRBS trend data.

District participation is voluntary and free of charge, and OASAS and NYSED will be reaching out directly to superintendents to solicit participation in the survey. Districts are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to assess the behaviors of New York’s youth in order to implement policies geared toward improving the health of students and reducing the chances that they will engage in risky behavior. In addition, the youth population data collected through the surveys will enable the agencies to better evaluate and monitor state-funded local community and school-based prevention efforts.

“These surveys provide an excellent opportunity to assess the most critical needs of children in school districts across New York State, and will allow us to target our services where they are needed most,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “I urge all districts to participate and help us determine the risks and challenges they are facing, and the best ways to address these issues.”

“A comprehensive and coordinated approach with students, families, schools and communities is so important in helping our youth with decision making,” Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said. “If information from these surveys can help even one student, it’s worth it for districts to take part.”

“This year has seen increased stress, anxiety and trauma for our students and families and now, more than ever, we must help our children avoid harmful behaviors any way we can,” State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said. “I encourage districts to participate in these important surveys to ensure they receive the proper resources to support students in making good choices.”

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

CONSUMER ALERT: THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION REMINDS PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO MAKE WATER SAFETY A PRIORITY FOR CHILDREN

 

Summertime Brings Water Activities and Children’s Safety Must Be a Priority

Child Drownings Remain Leading Cause of Unintentional Death in Children 1-4 years old

DCP Offers Water Safety Tips to Help Prevent Drownings

 The New York State Division of Consumer Protection today reminded parents and guardians to make water safety a priority for young children as summertime water activities begin. A new U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report revealed that child drownings remain the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages one to four years old. The report also indicated that from 2018 to 2020, 78 percent of all nonfatal drowning injuries occurred among children younger than five years old. There are basic safety tips New Yorkers can take to help prevent drowning in children.

“As families enjoy water activities, it is imperative to pay close attention to the safety of our children,” said New York State Secretary of State, Rossana Rosado. “The New York Division of Consumer Protection is providing safety tips so parents and guardians can best safeguard children when they are near the water. This knowledge saves lives, and I urge all New Yorkers to follow these basic tips to ensure this summertime is safe and fun for all.”

"In a matter of minutes, children can succumb to the dangers of drowning if left unsupervised or without the proper training necessary to become strong swimmers," said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. "I urge all New Yorkers to enjoy the water responsibly this summer and to remember to put the safety of our youngest swimmers first to ensure a happy recreational season for all."

Safety tips to help prevent drownings:

  • Adult Supervision. This is the number one way to prevent drowning. Never leave a child unattended in or near water, and always designate a Water Watcher. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smartphone, drinking alcoholic beverages, or otherwise distracted.
  • Swim Lessons.Multiple studies show swim lessons prevent drowning. Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim.
  • Life Jackets.Put life jackets on kids anytime they are on a boat or participating in other open water recreational activities. Personal flotation devices should always be used for children that do not  know how to swim. NYS Law requires that children under 12 wear a Coast Guard-approved life vest on a boat or water vessel. For more information on proper life jackets, go to the United States Coast Guard site at: https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php
  • Learn CPR.Every second counts and CPR can help in an emergency.
  • Put Up Barriers. Install appropriate safety barriers around in-home pools and spas. This includes fences, gates, door alarms and covers.
  • Pool Alarms. Install a pool alarm to detect and provide notification of unattended pool access.
  • Small Pools. Drain and put away smaller portable pools when not in use.
  • Cover Drains. Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid them getting stuck. Also, ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards, which include drain shape, drain cover size, and rate of water flow. Learn more here.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the State’s consumers. Consumers can file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. 

For more consumer protection information, call the DCP Helpline at 800-697-1220, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm or visit the DCP website at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The Division can also be reached via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

MAYOR DE BLASIO RELEASES NEW RESOURCE FOR EMPLOYERS AND WORKFORCE PROVIDERS TO BETTER SERVE LGBTQI+ CLIENTS

 

“Work it, NYC: A Guide to LGBTQI+ Workplace Inclusivity” will support NYC workforce providers and employers in implementing comprehensive, affirming best practices to serve LGBTQI+ clients 

 

On the final day of Pride Month, Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the release of “Work It, NYC: A Guide to LGBTQI+ Workplace Inclusivity,” a new resource to help provider organizations deliver higher quality services to LGBTQI+ seekers of education and employment services. This manual, created through a partnership between the NYC Unity Project and the NYC Center for Youth Employment, addresses the distinct barriers to high quality employment opportunities that many LGBTQI+ people face. These obstacles often are a direct result of stigma, discrimination, and violence experienced in work and educational settings. With awareness, preparation, and strategic interventions targeted to LGBTQI+ peoples’ unique needs, workforce providers can deliver the resources and services needed to support LGBTQI+ people.  

 

“LGBTQI+ New Yorkers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, period,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The ‘Work It, NYC’ manual will give our providers and local organizations the tools to better serve LGBTQI+ jobseekers as we emerge from the pandemic and create an economy that works for everyone. I thank the Unity Project, the Center for Youth Employment and all our partners for their collaboration on this critical project. Visit nyc.gov/lgbtqwork to check it out today!”  

 

“People who identify as LGBTQI+ want what everyone wants when it comes to employment and education: a safe environment where they are valued and respected,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “The ‘Work it, NYC’ guide to workplace inclusivity further secures our city’s reputation as a welcoming place for the LGBTQI+ community. New York is the city where you are accepted, no matter who you love or how you identify. And for anyone unaware of the barriers to inclusivity, ‘Work it, NYC’ is a guide to knowledge and resources.” 

 

“All jobseekers and workers deserve to enter spaces where they will be treated with dignity and respect," said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives. "LGBTQI+ young adults in particular face acute pressures when they seek services from workforce programs that historically haven't always affirmed their identities. The resources in this manual will help providers and employers reevaluate and revise their policies and practices to be inclusive of this community. It stands alongside the historic legal protections this administration has put in place for LGBTQI+ workers, and the newly launched Unity Works program to provide customized and comprehensive program services for LGBTQI+ youth, as a symbol of our commitment to helping these young New Yorkers reach their full potential as their authentic selves.” 

 

“LGBTQI+ communities—particularly trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people of color—have been interpersonally and systemically excluded from accessing meaningful job opportunities for far too long,” said Ashe McGovern, Executive Director of the NYC Unity Project and Senior LGBTQ Policy Advisor in the Office of the Mayor. “This comprehensive guide describes the complex context of intersecting forms of injustice that our communities face and creates concrete, actionable guidance so that all workforce providers and employers can more easily create intentional and affirming work spaces for LGBTQI+ community members. This collaborative manual draws upon the expertise of so many and is one key piece of our larger efforts, including our recent launch of the NYC Unity Project, to ensure that our communities are free to show up in every single space, including at work, as their most full and authentic selves, without facing discrimination or mistreatment.” 

 

Too often, LGBTQI+ young adults entering education and workforce training programs find that those spaces, intentionally or not, are not culturally competent in using best practices to serve LGBTQI+ clients,” said David Fischer, Executive Director of the NYC Center for Youth Employment. “This manual will help providers and employers create safe and supportive spaces, programs, and worksites for LGBTQI+ young adults--both affirming our values of equity and inclusion as a City, and delivering better outcomes for those young adults as well as the employers who will hire them.” 

 

“Creating a supportive, respectful and inclusive work environment that addresses the needs of the LGBTQI+ community is imperative for the success of any organization and the New Yorkers they serve. DYCD values diversity and respect across our agency and funded programs, so I am thrilled that this new guide will give our providers even more tools to foster welcoming, safe and accepting spaces for our City’s LGBTQI+ community,” said DYCD Commissioner Bill Chong. 

 

“An inclusive workforce is a stronger workforce, and the ‘Work It, NYC’ guide will give provider organizations and partners a helpful toolkit for developing strategies and best practices that foster a more-welcoming workplace for the LGBTQI+ community,” said HRA Administrator Gary Jenkins. “Diversity and inclusion are core tenets of DSS-HRA’s workplace culture, and this comprehensive, culturally-responsive resource will ensure we continue to address barriers that have historically prevented the LGBTQI+ community from accessing employment - and ultimately lead to better career outcomes for even more LGBTQI+ New Yorkers.”   

  

The manual articulates the specific employment and training- related needs of the LGBTQI+ community for workforce professionals. It offers an in-depth overview of how workforce practitioners can create affirming services for LGBTQI+ people of various ages—and why it matters that they do so. Although the manual includes specific information about disparities that face LGBTQI+ youth, and targeted resources to support them, it is intended to support LGBTQI+ people of all ages. Highlights include: 

  • Key Concepts and Vocabulary. To serve the LGBTQI+ community well, it is imperative to understand different LGBTQI+ identities and be familiar with and appropriately use LGBTQI+ terminology and the most respectful language. 
  • Obligations Under the Law. A guide to the legal obligations that organizations and employers have to LGBTQI+ people, as well as resources available to LGBTQI+ individuals 
  • Building a Safe(r) Space. How to center the importance of maintaining a trauma-informed lens in work with LGBTQI+ communities, information for supporting transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) program participants, and tips on establishing an LGBTQI+-friendly environment within workforce programs. 
  • Making Affirming Placements and Referrals. How to get information from employers and other referral sites, which includes asking pointed questions about an employer's experiences with LGBTQI+ people and cultural competency training. 

This manual also can serve as a complement to in-person training sessions, and as a resource brought back to workforce programs by people who have undergone training, to digestibly summarize their training to those who were not able to attend. The manual can be accessed at nyc.gov/lgbtqwork.  

 

“For centuries, people have flocked to New York City to create better lives for themselves and their families. A large portion of these dream-seekers have always been and will continue to be LGBTQI+, who have made our city’s economy prosper and more resilient,” said Daniele Baierlein and Jorge Luis Paniagua Valle, Co-Executive Directors of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “This new manual will help build a workforce that is more inclusive and will make our city stronger than ever before.” 

 

“LGBTQI+ people deserve a supportive, inclusive and healthy working environment,” said Dr. Torian Easterling, First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer of the Department of Health. “DOHMH is proud to have contributed to this manual, as we continue to advance anti-racist public health practice with an intersectional lens to address systemic inequities.” 

 

“The ‘Work It, NYC: A Guide To LGBTQI+ Workplace Inclusivity’ manual will help to support the evolution of a more inclusive workplace,” said Nathifa Forde, Deputy Executive Director of the NYC Young Men’s Initiative. “Everyone should feel affirmed and safe in the workplace. The Young Men’s Initiative understands the complexity of identity and its importance in creating and sustaining a diverse workforce and a just society at large. YMI supports and eagerly anticipates the utility of the manual to work towards eliminating the obstacles that LGBTQI+ individuals face within the workforce.”  

 

“LGBTQI+ people still face barriers in the job market. Resources to help understand and overcome these hurdles should be easy to find, access, and share,” said John Paul Farmer, Chief Technology Officer for the City of New York. “Our team is incredibly proud to partner with the NYC Unity Project to create a digital landing page for a comprehensive resource guide on LGBTQI+ workplace inclusion. This partnership underscores how modern digital services can amplify critical information -- such as this resource guide -- to better serve all New Yorkers.” 

 

“When LGBTQ+ New Yorkers are able to be 100% their true selves in the workforce, they are able to contribute 100% of themselves to their employers. This manual will allow for organizations and employers to support their employees and constituents allowing for a positive and productive work environment for all,” said Jayson Littman, Senior Advisor for LGBTQ Community Affairs in the Office of the Mayor. 

State Senator Gustavo Rivera - Statement: Opioid Settlement Fund Signed Into Law

 

GOVERNMENT HEADER

State Senator Gustavo Rivera issued the following statement after Governor Cuomo signed the Opioid Settlement Fund bill into law (S.7194/A.6395B).

“For years, aggressive marketing and lobbying allowed dangerous pharmaceuticals to claim the lives of too many New Yorkers and devastate families in every corner of New York State. Creating an Opioid Settlement Fund honors those New Yorkers we’ve lost to the opioid crisis and provides hope and resources to those still struggling with substance use,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the New York State Senate Health Committee and prime sponsor of the bill in the New York Senate. “There are $230 million coming to New York from a powerful lawsuit that New York Attorney General James led to hold opioid manufactures accountable for their role in this crisis. This fund will ensure the settlement goes directly to supporting substance use disorder prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services to help struggling New Yorkers. While this will not bring back those who we have lost to this devastating crisis, it will help us heal and recover.”
 
This past weekend, it was announced that New York had settled with Johnson & Johnson for $230 million for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic. As part of the settlement, an Opioid Settlement Fund needs to be established for New York to receive the settlement. Read more about New York State Attorney General James' historic settlement here. This law will ensure any settlement funds are only used for their intended purpose - funding substance use disorder prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services.

RECOVERY BUDGET: MAYOR DE BLASIO, SPEAKER JOHNSON, AND CITY COUNCIL REACH AGREEMENT ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 ADOPTED BUDGET

 

The Recovery Budget is a radical investment in working families that builds on strong reserves

 Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Finance Chair Daniel Dromm and members of the City Council today announced an agreement on the Recovery Budget, an on-time balanced City budget for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). The foundation for the $98.7 billion Recovery Budget is the strategic investment of stimulus funds that will drive New York City’s economic comeback and build a recovery for all of us.
 
"The Recovery Budget is a radical investment in working families. It will drive economic growth in every neighborhood, all while building on strong reserves and investing stimulus funds aggressively to put the pandemic behind us, once and for all,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This budget is a historic investment in New York City and it’s exactly how we will achieve a recovery for all of us.”
 
The Recovery Budget meets five core goals: finishing the fight against COVID-19, building on strong reserves, boosting economic growth in every neighborhood, delivering an academic and emotional recovery for every student, and keeping all communities safe.
 
Finishing the COVID Fight
 
A recovery for all of us begins with fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The City has spent more than $8 billion in the fight against COVID-19, administering over 9.2 million vaccination doses. The City’s aggressive and equity-driven grassroots vaccination campaign has driven down COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths to the lowest levels since the pandemic began. The Recovery Budget includes funding to finish the fight against COVID and strengthen the City’s public health infrastructure in the long-term.
 
In this Recovery Budget, the administration promoted public health by expanding the grassroots vaccination campaign and making investments to establish New York City as the public health capital of the world. That mission includes support for LifeSci NYC, a billion-dollar commitment over the next decade to create an estimated 40,000 jobs in this fast-growing sector.  
 
Building on Strong Reserves
 
Before New York City became the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, the City had maintained record levels of budget reserves that were needed in the midst of the pandemic induced financial crisis to help balance the budget, prevent layoffs, and avoid disastrous cuts to critical programs and services. In Adoption the administration partnered with the City Council to add $500 million to the City’s first-ever Rainy Day Fund, which now holds nearly $1 billion. With $2.8 billion in reserves added since June, total reserves in FY22 are now $5.1 billion, with $3.8 billion in the Retiree Health Benefits Trust, $993 million in the Rainy Day Fund, and $300 million in the General Reserve. At their highest, NYC reserves totaled $6.1 billion at the peak of the economic cycle in Fiscal Year 2020.
 
The de Blasio administration has remained focused on strong fiscal management and savings, even when revenues were strong. The Adopted Budget achieves $4.0 billion in savings over Fiscal Years 2021 (FY21) and 2022 since last June – the second largest two-year savings total at Budget Adoption of this administration.  
 
Tax revenues exceeded expectations in FY21 by $2.1 billion, driven by personal income tax and corporate tax receipts. The tax revenue forecast for FY22 remains unchanged from the Executive Budget.  
 
Boosting Economic Growth
 
The Recovery Budget drives an economic recovery for all of us, boosting growth in every neighborhood.  The previously announced Executive Budget made a $30 million investment – the largest in city history – to promote tourism. It also offered direct support for small businesses, including grants, low-interest loans and commercial lease legal assistance. The New Deal-inspired City Cleanup Corps (CCC) is on pace to hire 10,000 New Yorkers this summer to clean and beautify our city. All of these investments are already driving economic growth.  
 
The Adopted Budget deepens these investments in economic growth by committing $11 million to NYC Business Quick Start, a program that will help slash red tape and help guide small businesses through City regulations.  
 
The Recovery Budget also includes the Juneteenth Economic Justice Plan to build generational wealth and tackle the racial wealth gap by:
  • Expanding NYC Kids Rise with Universal NYC Baby Bonds, a program that gives every kindergartner a college savings account with at least $100 this September ($15M in FY22)
  • Establishing four-year CUNY Scholarships at full scale for Black and low-income students ($4M in FY22)
  • Providing paid internships in science, business, public health, and the green economy for students at Medgar Evers College to pair academic pursuits with an opportunity to make change and help our city recover ($500,000 in FY22)  
 
Lastly, As New York City recovers from the COVID recession and grapples with an evolving economy, the Recovery Budget will help hundreds of CUNY students and graduates advance toward career success--while boosting the short- and long-term outlook of our City’s economy:
  • CUNY Career Initiative: The Department of Small Business Services will work with CUNY and a set of industry partners to deliver short-term training in high-demand fields leading to job placement for approximately 1,000 New Yorkers ($6.5M in FY22)
  • Advanced Manufacturing Career Collective (AMCC): AMCC will create a pipeline of skilled, diverse talent into advanced manufacturing careers through educational and work-based learning experiences. The effort will engage and train an estimated 400 students in year one, scaling up to support over 1,000 New Yorkers annually. AMCC will also strengthen the overall ecosystem of MWBEs focused on advanced manufacturing ($4M in FY22)
 
Driving Academic Recovery 

This Recovery Budget makes crucial investments in New York City’s public schools to support students’ academic and social emotional needs as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic.  

This year, the administration established a path to universal free 3-K for All by fall 2023, expanded early childhood special education and Restorative Justice for Social Emotional Learning in middle and high schools, and strengthened special education services.

To support students and families over the summer, the administration launched Summer Rising – the first-ever summer program for all New York students in grades K-12 who wish to participate. This program will lay the groundwork for a full reopening this fall, providing students with a comprehensive summer experience that includes rigorous academics, social emotional supports, and fun enrichment programming. 

Also, the administration is launching the Universal Academic Recovery Plan, a bold, rigorous framework that will guide school communities and support student achievement during the 2021-22 school year and beyond.    

Building Recovery through Public Safety

Since last June, the administration has added more than $44 million to expand Cure Violence and the Crisis Management System. The NYPD has re-deployed an additional 200 officers performing administrative functions to the field full time, specifically assigned to high violence commands.  

In the Adopted Budget, the administration has made targeted investments to break the cycle of incarceration and reduce gun violence. This budget uses housing and employment as an anti-violence measure. That effort includes:
  • Creating the Precision Employment Initiative to hire 1,000 people this summer in Mott Haven, Brownsville and South Jamaica who are most at-risk– violence prevention via employment and support services. ($24M in FY22)
  • Providing reentry housing with healthcare and employment counseling for justice involved New Yorkers returning to the community ($57M in FY22)
  • Expanding “Jails to Jobs” to provide more formerly incarcerated individuals, including those on State parole, with transitional employment ($6.6M in FY22)
  • Providing peer mentorship for incarcerated individuals and those who are reentering with Crisis Management System Credible Messengers ($5M in FY22)
  • Expanding the CMS-based Hospital Violence Intervention Program into new hospital locations to support victims of violence and their family and networks ($6M in FY22)
  • Expanding CMS Services in the 40th and 44th Precincts in the Bronx and providing additional CMS supports ($6M in FY22)
 
This is in addition to mental health and public safety investments from the Executive Budget including: expanding mental health crisis response citywide, expanding mobile treatment teams, community-based hate crime prevention and investments in the Advanced Peace program.  
 

Governor Cuomo Directs State Agencies to Prepare Emergency Assets as Strong Thunderstorms Are Expected to Impact New York State

 

Damaging Winds, Heavy Rain and Lightning Forecast to Impact Several Areas Across the State Today

Temperatures Will Cool Down but Threat of More Thunderstorms Will Persist on Thursday


 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed State agencies to prepare emergency response assets as strong thunderstorms are forecast to move across the state Wednesday afternoon, bringing with them the potential for damaging winds, difficult travel conditions, localized flooding, and isolated power outages. Heavy rain and frequent lightning are also possible with these storms. Temperatures will continue to push into the 90s on Wednesday as the storms move across the state. Governor Cuomo urged New Yorkers to prepare for potentially hazardous weather and stay tuned to local forecasts for updated conditions.

"With high heat and humidity continuing to impact the entire state, we are also facing the threat of severe storms Wednesday that could bring heavy rain and high winds," Governor Cuomo said. "State agencies are on alert and ready to assist local partners if needed, and I'm encouraging New Yorkers to take the time to monitor local forecasts and help ensure loved ones are prepared as well."

Humid weather is expected Wednesday with scattered thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon, which could produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall.  Ponding of water on roadways and standing water in low lying and poor drainage areas is possible.  Before the storms develop, temperatures are expected to reach highs in the lower 90s, and heat indexes will reach the mid-90s up to 100 in some areas.  Cooler weather is expected Thursday into the weekend with potential isolated thunderstorms and showers each day as a cold front will stall just south of the state.  Several heat advisories remain in effect for much of the state and additional advisories may be issued today before cooler temperatures arrive Thursday.

New Yorkers can view weather alerts in their area by visiting the National Weather Service website here.

186 Days and Counting - 'Happy Pride Everyone'

 


I am at Destination Tomorrow on East 149th Street in the Bronx presenting the founder and executive director Sean Coleman with a Proclamation. As the mayor of New York City with 186 days to go I have Proclaimed June 29, 2021 as Destination Tomorrow Day. 


The entertainment put on here was regal, and I'm just going to be floating on air while I am here, Let's hope there are no shooting here in the Bronx today, so I can make it out alive. I wanted to take Wednesday off, but those pesky reporters aren't going to let me.