Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday, July 11th, a series of new measures to enhance New York’s emergency preparedness, citing a significant rise in extreme weather events, including record heat, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods, over the past two years.
Since 2021, New York has faced 19 state disaster emergencies and multiple federal declarations, prompting a shift in its approach to climate resilience. Governor Hochul, stressing that “keeping our state safe and protected” is her top priority, said the state is now taking a more aggressive and coordinated stance on emergency preparedness and recovery.
Between 2024 and 2025, the state broke 49 high-temperature records, experienced 38 tornadoes, and battled its most severe wildfire in over 30 years. In response, the Hochul administration established the State Weather Risk Communication Center at the University at Albany. The center is designed to improve coordination between meteorologists and emergency personnel — a first in the nation.
The FY2025 state budget allocates over $25 million to boost regional emergency response, covering training, planning, and equipment. It also provides $90 million for climate-resilient housing and $11 million in aid for tornado recovery in Oneida County.
Officials are also expanding public education efforts. The Citizen Preparedness Corps has trained more than 430,000 residents to handle natural disasters, while a new statewide text alert system now provides real-time emergency updates. Residents can enroll by texting their county or borough name to 333111.
The state says it will continue investing in tools and programs that bolster long-term resilience for communities facing growing climate risks.
