Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live On CBS2’s “CBS News New York”

August 9, 2024

Natalie Duddridge: Joining us live now to talk about how the city is preparing for this weather is Mayor Adams. Thanks so much for joining us.

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you, thank you as well. Debby has hit and clearly we want to be prepared, high winds and rains, but DEP team is out there coordinating our efforts, everything from cleaning our catch basins to making sure we hand out those supplies to areas that normally are prone to flooding.

Duddridge: And the city has issued this travel advisory as Jen Bisram was speaking about in her report. Can you get into more details about that and how else the city is getting ready?

Mayor Adams: We saw earlier this week when the first storm hit our shores, we saw many vehicles were stuck on our highways and roadways and it's just important during this time for people to use mass transportation so that you're not stuck, particularly in those areas where you see the flood in those low-lying areas. So if you don't have to be on the road, we're asking people not to be on the road to allow the emergency crews to dowhat they do best.

Duddridge: And can you also talk about how the city is ensuring all residents, especially those vulnerable populations, that they receive adequate warnings? For example, during flooding earlier this week we saw NYPD using drones to alert people. So how is that going?

Mayor Adams: You know as I do, we are inundated with so many communications that sometimes we become numb to those communications on social media. Everyone signs up for NotifyNYC, but when you use the drones we find that it peers through all of the traditional methods of communications. People hear it and they respond, so we really target those areas where we have basement flooding in the past. This is a great introduction. We're going to continue to use it to do these emergency notifications.

Duddridge: And also on our screen right now we're watching downed trees. So earlier this week when storms came through, we saw trees right across the city. So with these strong winds expected today, what should people do if they're concerned about trees near their property?

Mayor Adams: It's crucial that we say over and over again, sometimes you just need to ride it out. It's best to be home and remember the ground is soaked due to the previous rainfalls that we received, so it brings a greater level of danger. And just try not to, you know, to walk under those large trees, but it's about taking the necessary safety steps and that's what we're doing, being proactive as we communicate with New Yorkers.

Duddridge: And can you talk a bit about the areas of the city that are most at risk for flash flooding, what the city plans to do about that?

Mayor Adams: Yeah, it's really the traditional low-lying areas. We're seeing heavy rainfall in northern Bronx, parts of Queens, these areas that we see particularly are hit. And then when you're along the waterfront, and that is why we want to do early communications. And we have been doing proactive outreach throughout the years, instructing those community-based organizations to assist in making these notifications as well. So New Yorkers are notified and prepared. This way they can make the necessary adjustments.

Duddridge: All right, Mayor Adams, thanks so much forjoining us. A busy day for you ahead.

Mayor Adams: Yes, stay wet- stay dry!

Duddridge: There you go, appreciate it.

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