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Read the press release here.

City Is Prepared for Hurricane Joaquin's Possible Impact, Mayor Says

By Rosa Goldensohn | October 1, 2015 8:28pm | Updated on October 1, 2015 8:31pm
 The mayor was confident that the city is better prepared for Hurricane Joaquin than it was for Hurricane Sandy.
The mayor was confident that the city is better prepared for Hurricane Joaquin than it was for Hurricane Sandy.
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DNAinfo/Rosa Goldensohn

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN —  The city’s emergency management machine is roaring into gear for the possible arrival of Hurricane Joaquin early next week, officials said.

The city is positioning generators, readying rescue squads and arranging backup equipment, promising that lessons learned during Hurricane Sandy have prepared them for the storm. 

It is still too early to know whether Hurricane Joaquin will hit New York City or if evacuations will be necessary but New Yorkers should prepare as well, Mayor Bill de Blasio warned Thursday evening. Residents should find out what flood zone they live in, prepare a “go bag” with important belongings and plan in case of an evacuation, the mayor said. 

He encouraged all to sign up for Notify NYC alerts to get updates via text, phone call or email.

“Look, we’re not going to be surprised here,” de Blasio said in a press conference. “One, because we’ve gone through painful past experiences. Two, because we’re talking today, Thursday, about something that will have its earliest impacts on Sunday and Monday.”

The storm’s high point of impact is expected Monday or Tuesday, he said.

City officials said they had “learned a lot” from Hurricane Sandy and were better prepared for Hurricane Joaquin, but that they did not expect the same level of impact from this storm.

Still, Office of Emergency Management head Joe Esposito said that blackouts could be on the horizon.

“If the floods come, there will be sporadic power outages, no doubt about it,” he said.