New NYC Evacuation Zones Include Almost 3-Million People

More than a third of New York City residents' homes are now in evacuation zones that have been updated and expanded after Superstorm Sandy.

Officials said last month the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents. Details were released Tuesday.

Altogether, the six new zones incorporate about 3 million people. That's about 37 percent of the population. Many storms will likely require evacuating only some zones.

The zones reflect a new understanding of flooding risks. Sandy inundated chunks of the city, including some areas without evacuation orders.

Officials say the new zones also will help tailor evacuation orders better to particular storms.

There have been only two mandatory evacuation orders in the city's history: for Sandy and for Irene in 2011.

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