Outside Lenny’s Clam Bar at Cross Bay Boulevard and 161st Street in Howard Beach today, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) helped unveil a new, more effective series of evacuation signs for the area, installed by NYC Emergency Management. The signs replace the model used in the less-trafficked American South, which guide all motorists to specific centers along a limited number of specific routes.

To help account for NYC’s denser street grid and crowding along the coasts, there will be signs installed in a greater number of places. Signs will direct evacuees to higher ground, using a “zone” system of elevation and the tag line “Know Your Zone.” The program is designed to educate New Yorkers about storm dangers in low-lying areas, so as to help residents become familiar with the route to higher ground and understand the need to get there quickly in the event of a storm.

“We saw the worst happen in 2012, and we're still recovering five years later. I appreciate NYC Emergency Management for their hard work to plan for the next time around, by launching this year-round education program and hopefully changing how we think about preparation and evacuation. I encourage everyone to Know Your Zone and to take advantage of NYC Emergency Management’s other great resources, so that you and your family are as secure as possible during hurricane season."