NY State EP Alert 4.28.2025|Severe Weather
NY Alert released a message late on April 27, 2025, regarding the enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms for portions of Western and Central New York State during the day and night on Tuesday, April 29.
Predictions indicate there is “high confidence” that several storms will come with damaging winds, severe hail, and/or tornadoes. Flooding may result, along with blowing debris, downed trees, and power outages.
The following counties may be affected by these storms: Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, Ontario, Yates, Seneca, Schuyler, Steuben, Cayuga, Chemung, Tompkins, Tioga, Cortland, Madison, Oswego, Lewis, Oneida, and Onondaga.
Home care providers are urged to be vigilant and stay aware of weather watches and warnings for your area. Recall that a weather WATCH means you need to be prepared, as severe weather is possible. A weather WARNING means you need to take action, as severe weather is expected. In either case, share weather and preparedness information with your patients and staff often. Those in flood-prone areas need to be ready to evacuate when instructed by authorities, or if flooding risks are imminent.
Use your service area zip codes to monitor weather conditions throughout the next 48 hours to keep workers informed, and be sure caregivers keep patients informed of weather alerts at each shift. Monitor specific alerts by area as well.
We encourage all providers and patients to sign up for NY Alert, the state’s Mass Notification System used to warn citizens promptly of emergencies and provide other critical information.
Special Instructions for Home Care Providers
Access the Health Commerce System (HCS) to ensure that your contact information is current for active staff members.
Some advice detailed in prior Department of Health (DOH/the Department) notifications that is of particular importance to home care providers includes:
- Review your emergency plan, and have caregivers review in-home plans with your patients.
- Include plans for power outages in your communications with staff and patients.
- Ensure that adequate staffing will be available for the duration of the storm events.
- Have staff assist patients with checking for adequate supplies, food, and water.
- Check communication systems; ensure back-up communication modalities are functioning.
- Stay connected with staff, especially those in the field. Touch base frequently, even if there is nothing new to report.
- Provide regular updates to staff and patients on weather conditions and local effects on travel, power, etc.
- Respond promptly to any Health Electronic Response Data System (HERDS) surveys, which are conducted to capture important information for emergency planning, response, and recovery.
Flood Precautions
Driving through thunderstorms can be dangerous.
- Keep both hands on the wheel in case of sudden gusty winds.
- Slow down on wet pavement.
- Prepare for changing visibility due to heavy rain.
Never drive through standing water! Turn around and go another way. If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately. Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.