Call 911
Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.

Whenever the Mayor issues an evacuation order due to a coastal storm or hurricane, people with disabilities or other access or functional needs, who have no other options to evacuate safely, can request transportation assistance through 311.

You may not be able to request transportation to a specific address. Depending on your needs and mobility level, you will either be taken to:

  • An accessible evacuation center in an accessible vehicle, OR
  • A hospital outside of the evacuation zone by ambulance.

Specific instructions about which areas of the City should be evacuated will be communicated through various channels, including:

  • Local media
  • Notify NYC
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • NYC.gov
  • NYC.gov/emergencymanagement

If you live or are staying in an evacuation zone and your zone is ordered to evacuate, leave as soon as you can.

Use public transportation to evacuate if possible. When considering your transportation route, be aware that public transportation, including MTA's Access-A-Ride, may shut down hours before the storm arrives.

Get information about hurricane evacuation zones, including evacuation centers.

Evacuation centers have a limited ability to provide medical services. If you are sick or have a serious medical condition, go to a hospital instead of a center.

If you need oxygen tanks or other medical equipment, bring it with you to the evacuation center. You will probably be taken to a Special Medical Needs Evacuation Center.

Refrigeration for medication will only be provided at accessible evacuation centers. If possible, bring a small cooler or ice pack so that you can keep your medicine cold.

If you have a disability, prepare for hurricanes or coastal storms immediately by reading the brochure “Hurricanes and New York City”.

The guide includes information on:

  • How to prepare a disaster plan
  • How to find hurricane evacuation locations
  • What to do with pets during an emergency
  • How to assemble a Go Bag Ready
  • How to create an Emergency Supply Kit

If possible, make arrangements with friends, family, or neighbors before weather conditions become severe. If an evacuation order is in effect for your area, stay with family or friends if possible and use shelters as a last resort. If needed, you will be directed to an evacuation center or shelter. 

Most shelters do not have special equipment, such as oxygen and mobility aids. Some of them will be able to address special needs.

Shelters will take pets and service animals, but you must bring supplies and food for them. Carriers are strongly recommended to contain pets in a crowded environment.

Download the Hurricanes and New York City Guide.

Get more information about accessible transportation options.

Centers will provide access to charging stations for electronic devices. Individuals who need to charge medical or other equipment will be given priority. New York City is not responsible for items or devices that are left unattended.

Keep enough supplies in the home to survive for up to 7 days, including:

  • One gallon of drinking water per person per day
  • Non-perishable ready-to-eat canned food
  • Manual can opener
  • First-aid kit
  • Medications and prescriptions
  • Flashlight
  • Battery operated AM/FM radio
  • Extra batteries

At all times, you are allowed to bring a pet in a carrier on MTA subways, buses, and trains. You must have the pet muzzled and controlled on a sturdy leash. When an evacuation order is declared, you can bring a legal pet too large for a carrier.

Make every effort to shelter your pets with friends or family outside of the evacuation area. Only legal pets will be allowed in evacuation centers. Service animals are always allowed.

If you bring your pet to an evacuation center, please bring supplies to care for your pet, including:

  • A secure cage or carrier
  • Proof of required shots
  • Food and water
  • A leash
  • A muzzle

You are responsible for the feeding, clean up, and care of your pet at the center.

You do not need a cage or carrier for a service animal that helps people with disabilities.

The City has eight accessible evacuation centers with various features, including wheelchair accessibility.

You can find wheelchair accessible evacuation centers using the NYC Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder which provides directions and other details.

Use the Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder to find a wheelchair accessible center.

  Was this information helpful?   Yes    No