Transcript: Mayor Adams Calls in for Live Interview on 1010 WINS

January 9, 2024

Mario Bósquez: WINS News time 7:32, I don't have to tell you what we're going through right now, the brunt of a heavy storm. We're joined live right now by Mayor Eric Adams, thanking him for taking some time out while dealing with the brunt of the storm we're going through right now to keep everyone safe and sound. Mayor Adams, thank you for joining us tonight.

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you. Unfortunately, I, too, am on the road coming down from the governor's State of the State address. And I really want to advise New Yorkers, if you could stay indoors, stay indoors. We're expecting about two to three inches of rain across the city with some possible thunderstorms and 60 miles an hour wind.

Bósquez: It's a mixed bag of weather and an intense mixed bag of weather, Your Honor. Six hours of storm to get through says AccuWeather, their estimate. What's your biggest piece of advice for New Yorkers right now who may not quite be just home yet?

Mayor Adams: Try to get at home and remain indoors as much as possible because it's extremely windy. And as I indicated, the rain is heavy at this time. I am coming down from Albany. But the city is prepared. We have been briefed earlier this morning, and Mother Nature is going to throw everything at us, but we will definitely have our public safety agencies, they have pre‑staged water rescue units, high axle vehicles and other special equipment. And we want to make sure that we are prepared by clearing all of our catch bases and monitoring the road conditions to address this issue.

Bósquez: Are there any particularly flood‑prone areas of the city that are your biggest worry for flood risks at this time?

Mayor Adams: There are historical places where we traditionally have flooding, particularly in the Jamaica Bay area. And all of our coastal areas we should be concerned about. And we're calling on New Yorkers just to check in on their loved ones and family members and neighbors during this time, particularly in those areas that traditionally flood during the heavy rainfall.

Bósquez: And mayor, as you mentioned, you know, there is a risk of high winds bringing down falling debris, equipment from construction sites and more. What's being done in that regard, and what are you telling people about battening down those hatches?

Mayor Adams: Whenever we have an understanding that a storm of this magnitude is going to enter the city, we reach out to all the crane operators and have them take the necessary steps to really tie them down as best as possible. We had a crane collapse earlier today, emergency responders responded there. Thank God there was no loss of life. But it is important that all our construction sites follow the necessary advisories, and New Yorkers should sign up for NotifyNYC to get the latest information from the city.

Bósquez: I would imagine, too, telling pedestrians, if you see scaffolding, step the other way, at least for right now.

Mayor Adams: Yes, so true.

Bósquez: Now, what is the status of the MTA and other transportation modes that we use every day?

Mayor Adams: It's operating with sporadic delays, but MTA is doing an amazing job of getting commuters home. We're dealing with this hour, we're passed the rush hour, and so hopefully, people are at their final destination and they're remaining indoors.

Bósquez: Do you foresee any possible closures? I know in the past we have seen some subway stops absolutely flooded. Is that being a big part of your worry and you're on the lookout for as well?

Mayor Adams: Always. I have not received any reports thus far, but we are always looking out to make sure that if there are heavy flooding in our system, as a former transit cop, I know that that happens from time to time, but the MTA is well equipped. They have identified the stations where we have these issues, they will make sure it's necessary to close those stations.

Bósquez: Your Honor, although AccuWeather is telling us we should be out of the woods by tomorrow, I need to ask, is this any way going to impact schools, closings, late arrivals and such?

Mayor Adams: No, not at all. The primary concern is over at James Madison High School where we had to evacuate the 1,900 guests from the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Release Center over at Floyd Bennett. They are being moved to James Madison High School, and so the students there will be doing remote at this time. This was a fast‑moving storm, and we want to make sure that everyone is safe and out of harm's way.

Bósquez: With that in mind, Mayor Adams, touching on the deadline for those seeking asylum, the 60‑day protocol. Is today's bad weather affecting that in any way?

Mayor Adams: No, it was a smooth transition, and as I stated over and over again and we'll continue to say no child or family will be placed on the streets. We will make sure we continue our intense social services to communicate with them so they can make a smooth transition, like over 57 percent of the single adults have been able to do… Over 80 percent of those who had the 30‑day notice, I should say, were able to be self sustained.

And we want to continue to make sure that we give the support that's needed so that people could become self-sustaining during this time. But no child or family is going to be sleeping streets of on the City of New York because of the 60‑day notice.

Bósquez: Your Honor, should we take that as a response to the city comptroller's criticism of some parts of your plan?

Mayor Adams: Yes, I think I'm a bit surprised of, you know, the posture that the comptroller has been taking the last few days. He's well aware of the job we have done. He knows that we did not want to deal with a humanitarian crisis with 168,000 people entering our city with little or no support from the national government.

And I'm really imploring him to assist us in calling for the national government to do its job. We have managed this humanitarian crisis where other national and international communities have looked at what we've done in this city and maintained that. And I'm really asking him to tone down some of his comments and be more supportive of those hardworking civil servants that are stretched to the maximum.

Ever since Covid, they have continued to provide these services to the migrant and asylum seekers. This is not doing any justification to them and other New Yorkers who are making great sacrifices. He should join Team New York and help us navigate through this.

Bósquez: This is 1010 WINS and we're speaking with Mayor Eric Adams onward through the storm. Mayor Adams, again, we thank you for joining us for emergency help, and some may not be aware exactly what the resources are available. Is 311 a go‑to?

Mayor Adams: Yes, it is. That is the first line of calling for information; and of course, if there is a life‑threatening emergency, 911 and our first responders will respond. But if you sign up to NotifyNYC, it will keep you up to date with the latest information from the city.

Bósquez: Mayor Adams, we know you're traveling at this time during all of this bad weather, so we thank you for joining us, taking the time to inform us about what's going on, what the city is doing. And safe travels to you, Mayor Eric Adams. Thank you again.

Mayor Adams: Thank you very much.

###