New York City is urging residents to prepare for weather-related emergencies.

With Jose lurking off the East Coast, city officials say now is as good a time as ever to establish an emergency plan.

Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito says being prepared begins with having a go-bag that can be grabbed in a moment's notice.

"Have the essentials that you're going to need to survive for the immediate future," he says.

Esposito advises everyone in a household to have a bag of their own, and for each to be individualized. It should include personal items like prescription medications, as well as essential tools such as battery-operated radios and flashlights.

And while the forecast effects of Jose may be limited to heavy rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding, city residents are advised to take precautions nonetheless.