File #: Int 0807-2024    Version: * Name: Creating a pilot program to provide shelter locations during flash flooding events
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Fire and Emergency Management
On agenda: 4/18/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law in relation to creating a pilot program to provide shelter locations during flash flooding events
Sponsors: Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, James F. Gennaro, Justin L. Brannan, Farah N. Louis, Kevin C. Riley, Shahana K. Hanif, Nantasha M. Williams
Council Member Sponsors: 7
Summary: This law would require New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) to establish a pilot program for utilizing emergency shelter locations for the purpose of providing refuge prior to, and during, flash flood events. The pilot, which would last for three-years, would involve the operation of emergency shelter during flash flood events is no less than 10 neighborhoods, the location of which would be selected based on: the history of flash flood events in a given area; the presence of vulnerable populations residing in a given area; and the prevalence of subgrade dwellings in a given area. The pilot program would last for three-years.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 807, 2. Int. No. 807, 3. April 18, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 4-18-24, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - April 18, 2024

Int. No. 807

 

By Council Members Brooks-Powers, Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Riley, Hanif and Williams

 

A Local Law in relation to creating a pilot program to provide shelter locations during flash flooding events

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this local law, the following terms have the following meanings:

Emergency shelter location.  The term “emergency shelter location” means a public facility that may be utilized for the purpose of providing protection or refuge for the public during extreme weather events.

Flash flood. The term “flash flood” means inland flooding caused by an extreme rain event with three inches or greater of total rainfall.

Subgrade dwelling. The term “subgrade dwelling” means a room or space used for sleeping that is located at basement or cellar level of a residential building.

b. The office shall establish a pilot program for utilizing emergency shelter locations for the purpose of providing refuge prior to, and during, flash flood events.  Such locations shall be open to members of the public upon the issuance of a flash flood warning and shall offer the same services, supplies, and staffing as is provided for cooling centers.

c. The pilot program established by subdivision b of this local law shall operate shelter locations in no less than 10 neighborhoods.  The selection of such locations shall take into consideration the following factors: 1. a history of flash flood events in a given area; 2. the presence of vulnerable populations residing in a given area; and 3. the prevalence of subgrade dwellings in a given area.

d. Reporting. Within 1 year of the enactment of this local law, and annually on such date in subsequent years, the office shall report on the locations selected for the pilot, the number of activations occurring during the prior 12-months, and the number of people who utilized such location during each such activation. 

§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law and is deemed repealed 3 years after it becomes law.

 

JDKLS

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4/8/24