On Friday, July 11th, Governor Kathy Hochul updated New Yorkers on the state’s readiness for increasingly severe weather events. The announcement highlighted new initiatives to improve response capabilities amid record-breaking heat, tornadoes, wildfires, and flooding over the past two years. Officials emphasized the urgency of preparing residents and infrastructure as climate-related threats intensify across New York.
Since taking office in 2021, Governor Hochul has prioritized resilience and readiness despite looming federal funding cuts. “Keeping our state safe and protected is my top priority, and my administration is committed to ensuring accessible emergency weather preparedness and an all-hands-on-deck approach to response and recovery operations,” she stated. New York has experienced at least 19 State Disaster Emergencies and multiple federal declarations during her tenure.
The state reported that between 2024 and 2025 alone, it broke 49 high temperature records, endured 38 tornadoes, and battled the largest wildfire in over three decades. To combat these challenges, the administration established the State Weather Risk Communication Center at the University at Albany, a first-of-its-kind collaboration improving communication between meteorologists and emergency managers. State resilience programs continue to expand to meet evolving threats.
In the FY25 budget, over $25 million was allocated to strengthen regional emergency management presence for weather events, fund critical equipment, and enhance planning and training programs. Additional investments include $90 million for resilient housing programs and $11 million in emergency aid following devastating tornadoes in Oneida County. Disaster recovery resources support these efforts to mitigate long-term damage.
Officials also stressed the importance of personal preparedness for weather events. Through the Citizen Preparedness Corps, nearly 433,000 residents have received free training to respond effectively during disasters. A new real-time text alert system allows New Yorkers to receive emergency updates by texting their county or borough name to 333111. Preparedness guidance helps individuals plan for heat waves, floods, and other hazards.
State Homeland Security Commissioner Jackie Bray underscored the urgency: “Extreme weather events are now the norm, so being prepared is our best defense.” Weather Risk Communication Center Director Nick Bassill added, “New York is leading the nation in connecting weather experts, emergency managers, and the public, which is critical as our state faces increasingly frequent and extreme weather.” Officials pledged to continue investments in protecting communities.
