Do you want to know what hazards may affect your neighborhood? Select a neighborhood from the drop-down menu or enter an address to find out what hazards can affect your neighborhood and what you can do to reduce the impacts of these hazards.
New York City's communities are affected by hazards in different ways. The Community Risk Assessment Dashboard combines data from historical events with current information to make it easy for users to understand how communities are affected by hazards, as well as provide strategies, programs and resources - known as mitigation actions - that can reduce a community's potential risk of being affected in the future.
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The following hazards may impact your neighborhood, please click on the icons to learn more the risk to each of the hazards. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see potential mitigation projects to lessen the impacts.
Mitigation Actions for Heat
Maintain or plant a community garden.
By replacing asphalt lots with gardens reduces the absorption of the sun's heat by dark surfaces. If you are interested in starting a community garden, NYC Departments of Parks and Recreation's GreenThumb program supports communities as they navigate the process of starting a garden in their neighborhood.
Install a cool roof
Install a light-colored (green or white) roof to lower the building's internal temperature and help reduce the urban heat island effect. You can learn more about building codes and the NYC CoolRoofs program on the NYC Small Business Services website.
Install high-performance windows
These windows often have the following features:
- Multiple glazing layers (panes of glass that are spaced apart), which increase and improve the window's insulation and sound-reduction properties.
- Low emissivity coatings - transparent layers of tin or silver oxide deposited on the glass surface which allow light to pass through while blocking a substantial amount of heat.
Retrofit your building to improve cooling systems
Building owners can receive free personalized technical assistance to improve their property's energy efficiency and upgrade cooling systems through the Retrofit Accelerator. Improving building envelopes can reduce energy costs and usage, while preventing air leakages and maintaining indoor temperatures.
Apply for assistance to install cooling systems in your home
Eligible low-income New Yorkers can receive financial assistance to buy and install air conditioners or fans through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or GetCool Air Conditioner Program.
Mitigation Actions for Coastal Storms
Install hurricane-proof windows
Hurricane-proof windows are designed to better withstand high winds and impacts from flying debris, so when they are struck, its glass will crack in place or break off into fewer larger shards. Building owners should replace glass that is not rated for high NYC winds, defined as 30 pounds per square foot for buildings under 100 feet high.
Purchase flood insurance
Coastal storms may result in significant precipitation or storm surges, leading to flooding that can damage your property or belongings. Flood protection is not included in standard homeowners or renter's insurance, but can be obtained as a separate policy. Go to FloodHelpNY to learn more and to find out whether your property is in a flood zone. Property owners who hold a federally-backed mortgage or loan, or who have received federal disaster assistance in the past are required to obtain flood insurance. If you fail to purchase flood insurance when you are required to do so, you may become ineligible for federal disaster assistance.
Clean Catch Basins
Ask residents in your building or who are part of your community organization to help keep storm drains clear of debris or call in problems to 311.
Install backwater valves
Using backwater valves, check valves, and drain plugs prevents sewer water from rising up into a residence through its basement plumbing. Property owners of one- to four-family buildings may be eligible for low- to no-interest loans to install backwater valves through NYC's Department of Housing and Preservation Development HomeFix Program.
Elevate high-priority contents
Elevating a residential building's contents and critical systems is the most common technique to avoid flood damage. Elevating high-priority contents protects items from potential flood damage. Raising electrical, mechanical, and plumbing system equipment above anticipated flood levels to appropriate design standards also helps to flood-proof property. Hiring a New York State-licensed Registered Architect or Professional Engineer provides building owners with the best options for altering and retrofitting a home either to reduce or eliminate the risk that it might be damaged by storms or floods.
Protect your home with flood-resilient retrofits
Protect your home from coastal storm damage by implementing flood-resilient retrofits. Raising your property or critical mechanical systems above flood water levels can prevent damage, while also lowering your flood insurance premiums. Other measures, like installing flood-resistant flooring or backwater preventers, are cheaper, but still effective at protecting your property. Learn more about potential retrofitting projects at FloodHelpNY.
Submit a tree service request
High winds can break off tree limbs or even knock trees over. Proper maintenance of hanging branches, leaning trees or related debris before a high wind event can reduce the risk of damage during high winds. Report poor tree conditions on public property to the Department of Parks and Recreation's Forestry Services through their Tree Service Request system.
Mitigation Actions for Flooding
Create a rain garden
Rain gardens are composed of deeply rooted plants which collect and direct rainfall away from sewer systems. Rain gardens provide many benefits to the city by diverting water from the sewer system, reducing the urban heat island effect, and improving air quality. You can learn more about rain gardens on the NYC DEP website.
Rain Garden Stewardship
If you would like to help care for rain gardens in your neighborhood, visit Become a Rain Garden Steward.
Purchase flood insurance
Coastal storms may result in significant precipitation or storm surges, leading to flooding that can damage your property or belongings. Flood protection is not included in standard homeowners or renter's insurance, but can be obtained as a separate policy. Go to FloodHelpNY to learn more and to find out whether your property is in a flood zone. Property owners who hold a federally-backed mortgage or loan, or who have received federal disaster assistance in the past are required to obtain flood insurance. If you fail to purchase flood insurance when you are required to do so, you may become ineligible for federal disaster assistance.
Clean Catch Basins
Ask residents in your building or who are part of your community organization to help keep storm drains clear of debris or call in problems to 311.
Install backwater valves
Using backwater valves, check valves, and drain plugs prevents sewer water from rising up into a residence through its basement plumbing. Property owners of one- to four-family buildings may be eligible for low- to no-interest loans to install backwater valves through NYC's Department of Housing and Preservation Development HomeFix Program.
Elevate high-priority contents
Elevating a residential building's contents and critical systems is the most common technique to avoid flood damage. Elevating high-priority contents protects items from potential flood damage. Raising electrical, mechanical, and plumbing system equipment above anticipated flood levels to appropriate design standards also helps to flood-proof property. Hiring a New York State-licensed Registered Architect or Professional Engineer provides building owners with the best options for altering and retrofitting a home either to reduce or eliminate the risk that it might be damaged by storms or floods.
Protect your home with flood-resilient retrofits
Protect your home from coastal storm damage by implementing flood-resilient retrofits. Raising your property or critical mechanical systems above flood water levels can prevent damage, while also lowering your flood insurance premiums. Other measures, like installing flood-resistant flooring or backwater preventers, are cheaper, but still effective at protecting your property. Learn more about potential retrofitting projects at FloodHelpNY.
Ensure roof water properly drains away from building
To ensure roof water properly drains away from the building, owners should take several precautions -- install proper downspout and roof draining, clean gutters regularly, and connect downspouts to appropriate drains.
Install rain barrels to capture water
Home owners can take an additional step to facilitate roof water-drainage by installing a rain barrel to capture storm water and drain it after the storm. For more information, see the website for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection's Rain Barrel Giveaway Program.
Install a green roof
A green roof is the elevated form of a rain garden. It provides the same benefits as a rain garden --diverting water from the City's sewer system, reducing the urban heat island effect, and improving air quality. More information on how to create a green roof is available on the NYC Buildings website.
Mitigation Actions for Earthquakes
Increase interior safety
Any community organization space can be modified to protect people during an earthquake by securing bookcases and other top-heavy objects to walls and storing large, heavy items on lower shelves. Large pictures should not be hung above sofas or other places where people sit.
Create community awareness of how to stay safe
Earthquake safety tips should be distributed so that community members understand the steps they can take to prepare themselves inside their homes. More advice on this topic is available on the ReadyNY website.
Anchor appliances and large items securely to walls
Owners should take the following precautions to safeguard residents from harm during earthquakes:
- Strap water and gas heaters to a nearby wall to eliminate the risk that a falling gas water heater breaks the gas line and starts a fire.
- Anchor large appliances to walls with safety cables or straps.
- Bolt or strap cupboards, bookcases, and shelves to the wall and place heavy objects on the lower shelves.
- Lock the rollers of any large appliance or piece of furniture.
- Brace commercial fire protection systems so that sprinkler system lines do not tear away from their connection points.
- Apply safety film to windows and glass doors.
- Secure ceiling lights, suspended ceilings, and other hanging items, such as chandeliers and plants, to the permanent structure of the home.
- Install latches on drawers and cabinet doors.
- Securely mount flat-screen televisions, pictures, and mirrors.
Take precautions to reinforce and secure older masonry and wood buildings
Owners of older wooden and masonry buildings, which can be less stable than more recently constructed buildings, need to take additional precautions to mitigate risk of damage during earthquakes. For older brick or wooden buildings that lack reinforcement, a New York State-licensed Registered Architect or professional engineer should be hired to assist building owners to:
- Anchor all wood buildings to their foundations
- Replace unreinforced masonry parapets with reinforced masonry parapets and anchor them to the rest of the building.
- Replace all leaning parapets and unstable masonry chimneys.
- Add bracing to anchor building parapets using diagonal steel struts and repair the parapet mortar.
- Repair all masonry structural cracks by replacing the cracked bricks.
- Anchor the roof frame to bearing walls.
- Install bolts to connect the home to its foundation.
Hold drills and identify safe locations
Building owners can organize earthquake preparedness drills and help residents to identify safe places to be during an earthquake, such as under a solid piece of furniture and away from windows, hanging objects, or tall furniture that could fall and hurt them.
Mitigation Actions for Erosion
Create environmental stewardship programs with local residents
Shore Corps is a hands-on high-school student program in which participants work on environmental conservation, community planning and design, and civic engagement projects to create a more sustainable and equitable community in the Rockaways.
Currently, Shore Corps is building climate resilience in the Rockaways by restoring dunes systems and working through the Rockaway Farm Share to make healthy, affordable fresh produce and knowledge about nutrition choices more readily available in the community. For more information, visit riserockaway.org/rise.
Mitigation Actions for High Wind
Know the safest place to seek safety
Building owners should inform residents and workers about the safest place they should go to if a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued -- typically a basement or a windowless interior room, such as a bathroom, closet, or inner hallway on the lowest level of the building.
Install hurricane-proof windows
Hurricane-proof windows are designed to better withstand high winds and impacts from flying debris, so when they are struck, its glass will crack in place or break off into fewer larger shards. Building owners should replace glass that is not rated for high NYC winds, defined as 30 pounds per square foot for buildings under 100 feet high.
Replace small gravel covering the roof
Roof ballast is designed to use its weight to anchor the roof to the structure. Pea gravel or small stones are commonly used to anchor roofs; however, during a tornado or high winds, these materials can quickly become high-speed projectiles. Building owners need to replace small roof gravel with roofing ballast that conforms to sizes indicated in the NYC Building Code.
Submit a tree service request
High winds can break off tree limbs or even knock trees over. Proper maintenance of hanging branches, leaning trees or related debris before a high wind event can reduce the risk of damage during high winds. Report poor tree conditions on public property to the Department of Parks and Recreation's Forestry Services through their Tree Service Request system.
Implement routine building maintenance
Severe weather like tornadoes or windstorms can happen with little to no warning, which can pose serious risks in New York City's dense urban environment. Regularly maintaining your property can mitigate potential damage, while also protecting building occupants and neighbors from flying debris. Implement routine maintenance by ensuring roofs, cornices and other building elements are secured, fixing all cracks, and installing whole-house surge protectors. For more maintenance strategies, check out Ready New York's Reduce Your Risk guide.
Mitigation Actions for Winter Weather
Tree Service Request
High winds can break off tree limbs or even knock trees over. Proper maintenance of hanging branches, leaning trees or related debris before a high wind event can reduce the risk of damage during high winds. Report poor tree conditions on public property to the Department of Parks and Recreation's Forestry Services through their Tree Service Request system.
Retrofit your Building to Improve Heating Systems
Building owners can receive free personalized technical assistance to improve their property's energy efficiency and upgrade cooling systems through the Retrofit Accelerator. Improving building envelopes can reduce energy costs and usage, while preventing air leakages and maintaining indoor temperatures.
Apply for Assistance to Install Heating Systems in your Home
Eligible low-income New Yorkers can receive financial assistance to buy and install heating equipment through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
Implement Routine Building Maintenance
- Promptly remove ice and snow from tree limbs and other structures. If snow/ice accumulates, either it should be removed with a snow rake with long extension arm so it can be removed safely while standing on the ground, or a snow removal contractor should be hired.
- Clear leaves and other debris from gutters.
- Insulate pipes with sleeves or wrapping so they do not freeze.
Mitigation Actions for Respiratory Viruses with Pandemic Potential
Preventing a pandemic respiratory virus from establishing itself within the City is impossible. Actions will prioritize limiting the impact and slowing the spread of disease. The City will work with the healthcare system, state and federal partners, including the CDC, and private and non-profit sectors to manage the response and lessen its impact on New York City.
Social Distancing
In the early stages of an influenza pandemic, before a vaccine is available (usually 4 to 6 months but possibly longer), community measures are essential to limiting the spread of disease. As droplets can reach from 3 to 6 feet after they are expelled into the environment by a cough or sneeze, increasing the spacing between individuals can reduce exposure. In the event of an influenza pandemic, it is recommended that people:
- Stay home. All New Yorkers - healthy or sick - need to stay home. Only leave your home for essential tasks, such as work (if you cannot work from home), getting groceries and supplies or essential medical care. Try to use delivery services when possible.
- Wear a face covering when interacting with people outside your household and stay at least 6 feet away from others.
- Avoid crowded spaces including restaurants and bars that are not following official guidance.
- If you are an older adult or have any of the chronic health conditions listed above, avoid all unnecessary gatherings and events.
- Private employers allow employees to work from home or stagger their work hours.
- Walk or bike to work, if possible.
- If the train or bus is too crowded, wait for the next one.
Promoting Workplace Controls
Respiratory viruses can easily spread in the workplace. Both employers and employees can exercise environmental controls to limit its spread. Employers can:
- Maintain standard workplace cleaning routines.
- Encourage employees to stay home if they are sick and to not return to work until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Ensure access to hand-washing facilities or to alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Promote vaccination.
- Promote respiratory etiquette, which includes mask wearing, keeping hands clean and away from your face, and discouraging hand shaking.
Personal Hygiene
- Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds every time, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Wear a face covering.
- Do not touch your face unless you recently washed your hands.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing. Do not use your hands.
- Do not shake hands. Instead, wave or elbow bump.
- Get a flu shot.
The following report summarizes all hazards related to your neighborhood. You may also export or print this report to use outside this website.