Hurricane Irene. First EVER NYC Shutdown!

Hurricane Irene risk forces first-ever NYC shutdown

By Martha T. Moore and Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY

NEW YORK CITY – Nearly 300,000 residents were told Friday to leave low-lying neighborhoods in a first-ever mandatory evacuation as officials announced plans to shut down the city's sprawling transit system in advance of Hurricane Irene.

"It's heading, basically, directly for us," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a news briefing Friday afternoon. "This is very serious. Do not be fooled by the sun outside. You just can't wait until gale force winds and driving winds begin."

Residents of coastal areas in the five boroughs must leave for higher ground by 5 p.m. Saturday, Bloomberg said. The evacuation order covers an estimated 250,000 people and includes such areas as Coney Island, Battery Park City and the Rockaway peninsula. "We don't have the manpower to go door-to-door and drag people out," Bloomberg said. But, he added, ignoring the evacuation order means "people might die."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-08-26/Hurricane-Irene-risk-forces-first-ever-NYC-shutdown/50149524/1

Hurricane Irene preparations prompt New York City to begin evacuations of low-lying areas

BY Jose Martinez
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Originally Published:Friday, August 26th 2011, 10:14 AM
Updated: Friday, August 26th 2011, 3:27 PM

Danny Iudici for News

Private ambulances prepare for the transport of patients from Coney Island Hospital.

Transit officials will start shutting down subways, buses and commuter trains at noon Saturday and the city ordered  mandatory evacuations of some 300,000 people in low-lying areas as Hurricane Irene took aim at New York.
"This is a mandatory order," Mayor Bloomberg said at a City Hall briefing. "It's done for people's safety."
The orders apply to low-lying areas in all five boroughs - including Coney Island, Battery Park City, Broad Channel and the Rockaways - and shelters were set to open Friday afternoon.
The flood-risk areas must be cleared out by 5 p.m. Saturday.
"We do not have the manpower to go door to door and drag people out of their homes," Bloomberg said. "But make no mistake, people should... leave."
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/08/26/2011-08-26_hurricane_irene_preparations_prompt_new_york_city_to_begin_evacuations_of_lowlyi.html

Here is the zone map for NYC.  If you live in NY, please check this map to be sure of what zone you are in...

NYC Hurricane Irene Evacuation Map