Due to climate change, flash flooding has become a serious matter for the city. Back in 2021, rains from the Ida hurricane drowned 11 people in their basements in New York. The idea to launch drones for climate change purposes came from Mayor Eric Adams, a self-described geek who has interest in technological gadgetry generally and drones specifically.

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Equipped with loudspeakers, drones are flying above flood-prone neighborhoods in New York as a new way of warning civilians from potential climate dangers. The city’s officials have warned from intense rainfall and basement dwellers must take the warnings into consideration.

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Under Mayor Adams´ leadership, New York city officials launched many drones to keep an eye out for the city´s safety. The drone teams flied several drones with attached messages in English and Spanish to historically flood-prone areas like Ozone Park, Jamaica, the Queens neighbourhoods of Howard Beach, and near the Bronx River.  The message contains ´´Heavy rainfall and flooding will take place until Wednesday morning, if you live in a basement or a ground-floor apartment, be prepared to leave your location if flooding occurs. Do not hesitate´´.

The initiative to use drones in such circumstances was praised from a Republican city councilwoman, Joann Ariola, who said ´´This is another way of using technology in the right way´´.

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