New York City emergency management officials have adopted a high-tech approach to alert residents about potential threatening weather conditions. Instead of relying on traditional methods like bullhorns, they are now using drones equipped with loudspeakers to reach out to individuals living in basement or ground-floor apartments.
These drones, emitting a buzzing sound, fly over homes in specific neighborhoods prone to flooding, issuing warnings about impending heavy rains. The messages, relayed in multiple languages, advise residents to be prepared to evacuate if necessary and not to hesitate in case of flooding.
The initiative comes in response to the tragic incidents of 2021 when eleven individuals lost their lives due to flash floods in basement apartments during heavy rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Recognizing the vulnerability of such living spaces, the city has deployed approximately five teams, each equipped with multiple drones, to ensure timely alerts and assistance.
Aside from drone technology, the city employs various other emergency messaging systems, including social media platforms, text alerts, and communication with over 2,000 community-based organizations catering to vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the importance of utilizing diverse notification methods to ensure that all residents are adequately informed and prepared for emergencies. Mayor Adams, known for his interest in technology, has previously leveraged drones for monitoring events and even exploring shark sightings on beaches.
Under Mayor Adams' administration, the city has explored innovative uses of technology, such as briefly considering robotic patrols in the Times Square subway station and deploying robotic dogs to assist in hazardous situations, like the Manhattan parking garage collapse in 2023.
