Transcript: Mayor Adams Calls In For Live Interview With 1010 Wins Radio

December 17, 2023

Host: WINS News time 12:33. And speaking of such, we have somebody who knows a lot about the questions we're going to ask when it comes to tonight's weather and tomorrow's weather. Hello, Mayor Adams. 

Mayor Eric Adams: How are you? Good to speak with you. And if you're going to do your Christmas shopping, now's the time to do it before this coastal storm arrives. 

Host: Oh, yeah. This is, it's going to be a doozy. What exactly are we expecting? Of course, we just heard [inaudible] give us an overview, but in terms of the five boroughs, especially those more flood prone areas, what are we looking at? 

Mayor Adams: Heavy rain, high winds. And you know, as you indicated, the coastal areas— particularly the Jamaica Bay area— we could anticipate some coastal flooding in the city. It's going to intensify tonight and into tomorrow morning, so that's why we put out a travel advisory. And we're really telling New Yorkers use public transportation, that's the best way to get around. 

Host: And of course, you know, let's keep it there, a word for drivers, some common sense advice, maybe, especially since we do know certain roadways like the Belt Parkway are notorious for flooding. What do you have to say? 

Mayor Adams: And that's exactly right. You know, long-term New Yorkers, we know soon as we hear about a storm we know the trouble spots, we know what happens on the Belt Parkway, we know the roads in our own community. And so those normal areas when you have heavy rainfall, we should be looking out for and staying away from. 

But again, there are things we can do also as everyday New Yorkers like clearing those catch basins, making sure that are clear so that our teams can do the job that they're doing. We're ready up, our team is already out there making sure could have the proper coordination. We have pre-staged rescue and operations in areas like those who are likely to be the hardest hit. 

Host: Um-hmm. And you mentioned public transportation. Now we know the MTA, some stations also can flood. It can get pretty gross down there when you add in rain into the mix. So, how are they getting ready for the storm? 

Mayor Adams: You know, yes, they are, and all the agencies across the city have activated their flood operation plans. And we're really ready for whatever this storm can throw at us. But let's keep in mind, this is Mother Nature, she's in charge. And no matter what we do, we know we already had, our grounds are saturated already from the previous rainfall, and so we just have to be prepared and weather through this. 

Host: Um-hmm. And is there a plan for the city's unhoused population in this storm and as we move into the colder weather? 

Mayor Adams: Yes, it is. Particularly when we talk about high wind gusts, we are keeping an eye on Floyd Bennett Field where we have tents up, as well as out in Creedmoor facility, we have tents, and we have tents over on Randall's Island. So, all of those locations we're keeping a close eye on. 

The New Yorkers who are homeless, undomiciled, we have traditional shelters and we don't believe they're going to be impacted at all but we're ready if any case we have to respond to those locations. 

Host: Now, of course, I think I know the answer to this quiz question, but we have to ask about schools. The city schools will remain open, correct? 

Mayor Adams: Yes. Yes. At this time, there is there are no plans to close the schools. We believe that the morning commute is going to be a difficult one, but once the children are inside the school building, we'll operate fine. You know, we say open over again, the safest place for our children we believe are the school buildings. 

Host: And now there's always, you know, some sort of construction going on. It's New York City, that's never going to end. But have those sites been secured ahead of the storm as well? 

Mayor Adams: Yes. Notifications went out particularly in areas where you have cranes and you have the plywood that can normally traditionally fly off. So, all of these sites have been notified. Department of Buildings and NYCEM, they do a media notifications. And we also call on New Yorkers to sign up for NotifyNYC. That's one of the best ways to stay abreast of what these weather changes and patterns are taking place. 

Host: And you know, obviously, these kinds of weather events here in New York City are becoming more and more frequent. I'm a born and raised Brooklynite, you know, and the city wasn't quite known for flooding, right? Then Sandy changed that a little more than a decade ago. How do we navigate this going forward? 

Mayor Adams: So true. And there's a combination of short-term, mid-term and long-term plans. Long term is real environmental decisions that we're continuing to make and build out everything from our coastal walls that you're seeing and how do we keep the waters out, but also how do we retrofit our sewer systems; and any new sewer systems, how we build them to handle the rainfall that we are receiving because the they're rainfall, as you indicated, we've never had to consume and hold and move out this level of rain. 

But there's everything we can do as everyday New Yorkers, as I stated. You clear those catch basins and it's amazing how the water would drain better. And what we can do every day as everyday New Yorkers to improve our environment like recycling, electric vehicles and some of those other low-hanging fruits. 

Host: And of course, you'll be out and about tomorrow surveying some potential damage, correct? 

Mayor Adams: All the time. You know, during the storm, you know me, I like to be on the ground. You have to be on the ground to determine how to move things around appropriately, and that's where I will be. 

Host: And finally, Mayor Adams. How do you prepare? What personally are your storm must-have's? 

Mayor Adams: Well, I was hit a few years back with a bad storm that impacted my home, and so I just take the necessary precautions, moving things off the backyard, tying things down and making sure that nothing could be blown around to harm someone or damage property. Those little things go a long way, and that's what everyday New Yorkers can do. 

The city agencies are going to do their job, but everyday New Yorkers can participate as well. We don't have to be helpless, we could be helpful. 

Host: Okay. And is there like a snack, like popcorn, like what do you have to have? 

Mayor Adams: [Laughter.] Well, you know, this is a good time to get a Netflix or any other favorite movie channel. I like to watch reruns of Madam Secretary. That's one of my favorite shows. 

Host: Not Mayor Adams with Netflix and chill. Thank you so much for joining us; and of course, we hope that the damage is minimal, but of course, we want to keep our New Yorkers informs, our fellow listeners and everybody who makes the city go round. Thank you so much, Mayor Adams. 

Mayor Adams: Well done. Take care.