Heavy Rain, Flash Flooding, and Severe Storms Expected Across New York
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) is advising healthcare facilities, home care agencies, and hospice providers to prepare for a series of summer storms expected to bring heavy rainfall, flash flooding, severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, and possible power outages beginning Tuesday, July 28 and continuing through Wednesday.
Flood Watches have been issued for portions of the state, with Downstate regions facing the greatest risk due to already saturated ground. Some locations could receive several inches of rain, with rainfall rates exceeding 1–2 inches per hour, creating the potential for dangerous flash flooding.
Actions for Home Care Providers
Agencies should review emergency preparedness plans and take steps now to ensure patients and staff are prepared for potential weather-related disruptions.
The Department of Health recommends providers:
- Review agency emergency operations plans and brief staff at the beginning of each shift throughout the event.
- Verify that your agency’s 24/7 Health Commerce System (HCS) emergency contact information is current, including a cell phone number in case landlines fail.
- Review in-home emergency plans with patients and discuss preparations for possible power outages.
- Confirm staffing coverage and anticipate travel delays or route changes due to flooding.
- Ensure patients have adequate medications, medical supplies, food, and drinking water.
- Test communication systems and verify backup communication methods are operational.
- Maintain regular contact with field staff and provide ongoing weather and travel updates.
- Respond promptly to any Health Electronic Response Data System (HERDS) surveys.
Travel and Flood Safety
Staff traveling during severe weather should exercise extreme caution.
- Slow down on wet roads and be prepared for rapidly changing visibility.
- Keep both hands on the wheel during strong wind gusts.
- Never drive through standing or moving floodwater.
- If water begins rising around your vehicle, leave the vehicle immediately and move to higher ground if it is safe to do so.
Remember:
- 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet.
- 12 inches of moving water can carry away most vehicles.
- 2 feet of moving water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
Stay Weather Aware
Monitor weather conditions throughout your service area and keep staff informed of changing conditions.
- A Weather Watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather—be prepared.
- A Weather Warning means severe weather is occurring or imminent—take immediate action.
- Patients and staff in flood-prone areas should be prepared to evacuate if directed by local authorities or if conditions deteriorate.
Reporting Requirements
All Article 28, 36, and 40 healthcare facilities and agencies should immediately report any disruption of services or infrastructure to the New York State Department of Health State Medical Operations Coordination Center (SMOCC) at (917) 909-2676 and complete any required Facility-Reported Incident reports.
