We’ve received this somewhat cryptic message from Notify NYC:

Notification issued on 7/19/14 at 11:18 AM. The United States Coast Guard reports that a ship in Arthur Kill [red in map] off the coast of Staten Island is offloading various fuel products. As a result, there may be an odor in Staten Island and Brooklyn. Please report natural gas emergencies to 9-1-1.

Could the “fuel products” include liquefied natural gas?

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/68792

We’ve received word from Notify NYC that because flooding has allowed untreated wastewater to flow into local waterways, “direct contact with the Hudson River, East River, New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay and the Kill Van Kull for recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, or any other water activity that would entail possible direct contact with the water should be avoided until further notice.”

This brings to my mind the Beach Boys’ song “Don’t Go Near the Water,” performed when my old Lion’s Head drinking buddy Blondie Chaplin (left in photo above) was with the group. Video of the song after the jump.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/50884

Rehabilitation work on the Brooklyn Bridge necessitates closing the Manhattan bound lanes from 11:59 Friday to 6:00 a.m. Monday this (October 5-8) and next (October 12-15) weekend, according to information just received from Notify NYC. Traffic will be redirected to the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges and to the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/48896

Rehabilitation work on the Brooklyn Bridge necessitates closing the Manhattan bound lanes from 11:59 Friday to 6:00 a.m. Monday this (October 5-8) and next (October 12-15) weekend, according to information just received from Notify NYC. Traffic will be redirected to the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges and to the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/48896

We received notice from Notify NYC that the eastbound BQE (southbound as it passes Brooklyn Heights) is blocked near the Brooklyn Bridge because of an overturned tractor-trailer. When we arrived at the sidewalk overlooking Hillside Park at about 5:45 p.m., this is what we saw: an upright but apparently disabled tractor-trailer in the left lane; a flatbed parked behind it; a red car stopped in the right lane; and a policeman directing all traffic onto the Cadman Plaza West exit.

As of 7 p.m., WINS-AM reported that eastbound lanes remain closed as wreckage has yet to be cleared from the road, while traffic is backed up all the way to Bay Ridge. (Photo: Claude Scales)

Update: The eastbound lanes are now open. There’s a photo on Gothamist of the overturned truck further down the BQE that caused the blockage here (thanks to readers Bloomy and Joe).

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44654

This in from Notify NYC:

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the New York City area from noon Wednesday until 8 p.m. Thursday. Additionally, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday. These conditions are dangerous to health. Avoid strenuous activity. People without air conditioning, older adults and people with chronic health conditions are most at risk. Cooling Centers will be open tomorrow. For locations, hours and more information on avoiding heat illness and the Air Quality Index, visit www.bit.ly/NYCHeatAQI or call 311.

Video after the jump.

So, let’s make the best of it with Martha and the Vandellas.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42660