The city evacuated 1,900 migrants living at the Marine Park shelter at Floyd Bennett Field ahead of the expected storm Tuesday, according to the Brooklyn Paper.
A City Hall spokesperson who spoke to the publication said the evacuations were a precautionary measure in response to several warnings of severe weather events overnight.
"The health and safety of migrants in our care is always a top priority, which is why we are currently overseeing the relocation of 1,900 guests from the humanitarian emergency response and relief centre at Floyd Bennett Field," said the spokesperson.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said in a press statement the evacuations proved the migrant shelter was unsafe.
"The need for the City to find temporary shelter for the people already in temporary shelter demonstrates that the site was not adequately set up for extreme weather; on top of the hardship, this isolated and inadequately serviced location, miles from the nearest neighborhood school, already imposes on its residents," he said.
Mayor Eric Adams visited the migrants who are temporarily staying at James Madison High School in Marine Park. Council Member Inna Vernikov said on X that the relocation would disrupt learning at the school.
"There are approximately 4,000 students who attend James Madison High School. Their parents are rightfully concerned. Our constituents who live in the vicinity are concerned for their safety and well-being. This will agitate local residents and disrupt the entire school government," she said.
Assemblyman Michael Novakhov said he would host a rally in front of the school at 9:30 a.m. to protest the temporary school disruption, according to a statement. The mayor said the migrants will leave the school today, according to his post on X.
