Photo: New Coastal Evacuation Center signs were installed throughout south Queens and Rockaway. Photo Courtesy of Assemblyman Goldfeder’s Office
Elected and administration officials this week announced the installation of new, corrected Coastal Evacuation Center signage throughout southern Queens and Rockaway.
The signs will direct families to John Adams High School in South Ozone Park in the event of major evacuations, replacing old ones that had misdirected motorists during past emergencies.
“This change to our emergency evacuation route signage will save thousands of lives by helping direct families in the event of major disasters,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach), who along with city Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joe Esposito helped secure the installation of the corrected signs.
Goldfeder sent a letter to city Commissioner of Transportation Polly Trottenberg last year requesting the agency take steps to ensure designated evacuation routes and signage are updated and maintained regularly. The request came in light of experiences faced by residents during Superstorm Sandy evacuations in October 2012. At the time, emergency personnel directed families to John Adams High School in South Ozone Park, while evacuation route signage pointed traffic to nearby Aqueduct Racetrack.
DOT dispatched crews last month to complete the task of updating the signage. This comes as the administration readies for the Atlantic hurricane season and prepares to re-launch the “Know Your Zone” hurricane-awareness campaign.
Last October, Goldfeder led a rally with Nassau County Legislator Howard Kopel to demand improved signage and infrastructure repairs along the Nassau Expressway, one of only three evacuation routes for residents of the Rockaway peninsula.
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
