To all my fellow Brooklyn CB-2 CERT members have a healthy happy New Year's

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will be testing their Early Warning Sirens at the Brooklyn Piers tomorrow, November 15, 2011 between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. These sirens may also be heard in lower Manhattan. This is only a drill.

As part of our nation's ongoing efforts to strengthen our the nation's reiliance against all hazards, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in close coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), will conduct the first ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, November 9, at 2:00 p.m. EST. The test will occur simultaneously across the United States and the U.S. territories and will last approximately 30 seconds, after which regular programming will resume. The test will appear on all broadcast radio and television stations, cable television systems, satellite radio and television systems, and wireline video service systems. The test will not involve landline or mobile phones or other infrastructure such as power grids.

At 3:30 PM, a tree fell on Sidney Place as a result of weakened roots from the Hurricane, and post-storm gusts of wind. Please continue to be aware of potential dangers while moving around outside.

The Mayor's Office has announced that the Zone 1 evacuation order will be lifted as of 3 PM. Please be careful returning to your homes as debris from flooding may still be in the area.

The worst of Hurricane (now Tropical Storm) Irene has passed the City, but please be aware of the following safety tips:

- The New York area will still be subject to rain and wind gusts for the next several hours.

- Be aware that trees and building structures may have been weakened by the storm, and may fall without warning.

- STAY AWAY from any downed electrical or telephone wires.

- Flooding has occurred at Brooklyn Bridge Park and DUMBO. be careful, as it may not be evident how deep flooding is.

- Don't call 911 to report Hurricane damage UNLESS it is a life-threatening situation. Call 311 instead.

MTA bus, subway and commuter rail services will begin to shut down beginning at 12 PM tomorrow (Saturday). Persons who need to evacuate from low-lying areas of the City who need to use public transportation should plan their travel accordingly.

The Mayor has said that residents in Zone A are advised to leave their homes before the storm arrives and are strongly encouraged to stay with friends or family outside an evacuation zone. Evacuation Centers will be open Friday at 4 PM for residents who have no alternative shelter.

In anticipation that Hurricane Irene might hit the NYC area this weekend, the City of New York has announced that Evacuation Shelters will open tomorrow at 4 PM. Initially, this will be for Senior Citizens and other vulnerable people in the Orange Zone (see attached map). The City will make a decision on Saturday morning as to whether a general public evacuation of one or more zones will be necessary.

Local evacuation shelters include:
- NYC Technical College, 300 Jay Street (@ Tillary Street)