NYC officials just unveiled an updated hurricane evacuation zones map. According to the city, "The new Zones, 1 through 6, which will replace Zones A, B and C, now include an additional 600,000 New Yorkers not included within the boundaries of the former zones."

Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway said, "The new zones incorporate the best-available data and will help the City to more effectively communicate to those most at risk depending on the characteristics of a particular storm. New Yorkers should go to www.nyc.gov or call 311 to find out if their homes or businesses fall within the boundaries of a new city hurricane evacuation zone." You can map your address in the NYC Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder here—it's also interesting to map other addresses on your street; for instance, your office building might be in Zone 1 but a building two blocks from you (and up the hill) could be in Zone 5!

The mayor's office says that the new "zones are based on coastal flood risk resulting from storm surge - the 'dome' of ocean water propelled by the winds and low barometric pressure of a hurricane; the geography of the city’s low-lying neighborhoods; and the accessibility of these neighborhoods by bridge and roads." And the new zones "include an additional 600,000 New Yorkers not included within the boundaries of the former zones. The increased number of zones will provide the City with more flexibility in targeting areas to evacuate in advance of a predicted storm." (You can see the old map here.)

The city estimated the evacuation population based on the 2010 Census: Zone 1—370,000; Zone 1+2—620,000; Zone 1+2+3—1,020,000; Zone 1+2+3+4—1,470,000; Zone 1+2+3+4+5—2,230,000l; and Zone 1+2+3+4+5+6—2,990,000. And Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joe Bruno urged, "Make an emergency plan with your family. Always have a Go Bag packed with essentials you may need in the event that you have to leave your house at a moment’s notice. Ensure you have several days of supplies, including water, non-perishable foods, a flashlight and a battery-operated radio at home. Emergencies are much easier to manage when you have a plan in place." Check out OEM's Ready guide.

Now, let's start building that Seaport City, right?

