COASTAL STORM PREPAREDNESS FOR HOMEBOUND INDIVIDUALS AND THE STORM SHELTER SYSTEM

New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) is the emergency coordination agency responsible for coastal storm preparedness, evacuation, and shelter in NYC. NYCEM tasked the Capstone team to support the agency with two coastal storm preparatory challenges: (1) determining nationwide best practices for evacuating people who are homebound and (2) identifying commonalities among residents in need of emergency shelter in low-lying and flood-prone areas of the city. The team conducted a literature review, interviewed emergency management officials nationwide, and completed a needs-based census analysis. Based on its findings, the team recommended a heightened communications plan, additional exploration of modern resources, and renewed use of existing technology and data. The team’s final report provides evidence-based recommendations for evacuating the homebound and emergency shelter preparedness.