DOH Warns Providers of Multi-Hazard Severe Weather Event Aug. 6th-11th

(Aug. 6, 2024) The Department of Health (DOH) issued an alert on Aug. 6, 2024, regarding a multi-hazard severe weather event spanning several days. The guidance is directed to nursing homes, adult care facilities (ACFs), home care, hospice, hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, and dialysis centers. However, the information in the alert, noted below, will be of interest to all providers. Below is an excerpt from the alert, and additional information from the National Weather Service Alerts page can be found here.

According to the alert:

A Flood Watch remains in effect for the Lower Hudson Valley, New York City (NYC), and Long Island from Tuesday (8/6/24) through Wednesday (8/7/24)
A Moderate Risk for Excessive Rainfall Tuesday (8/6/24) has been identified for the NYC Metro Areas
The National Hurricane Center forecast cone for Debby includes the southeastern half of New York State (NYS) on Saturday (8/10/24)
Moisture associated with Debby may result in moderate to heavy rainfall across much of NYS, leading to a risk for excessive rainfall and flooding on Friday (8/9/24) and Saturday (8/10/24)
An upper-level disturbance will continue to interact with moisture from Debby, resulting in widespread moderate to locally heavy rainfall
There remains uncertainty in the future track of Debby, confidence is increasing that runoff from heavy rainfall will result in instances of flooding, including flash flooding, general flooding of urban, low-lying, or other poor-drainage areas, and possibly river flooding

The alert also contains additional resources and guidance for the aforementioned DOH-regulated entities, including a Healthcare Facility Preparedness Activities Checklist and contact information.

Members are encouraged to remain alert, review the guidance now, and take steps to prepare for the possible impacts, particularly in the southeastern part of the state. If members are impacted by the event and need assistance, please let us know.

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828