Environmentalist with years of experience addresses resistance to increased downpours

New York City is grappling with the reality that its current stormwater system is insufficient to handle the frequency of extreme rain events, a problem that has become more evident as the city experiences conditions that were once considered a 5-year storm more than five times a year.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has identified areas requiring increased storm sewer capacity, using inland stormwater rain maps. Parts of the city do not have the capacity to process 1.75 inches of rain per hour, leading to significant issues during heavy rainfall.

The city's losses from storm surge could reach another score of billions of dollars in the future, a stark reminder of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Efforts are being made to build out the stormwater system in these areas, with the proposed Stormwater 2.0 system aiming to address the insufficient capacity of the current system to handle extreme rain events.

The HAT (Harbor and Tributaries) Study, a project involving the federal government, the states of New York and New Jersey, and New York City, has been instrumental in addressing storm surge issues. However, the study did not fully address the issue of knowing the current threatening danger from storm surge, unlike in other areas around the world.

In some areas of southeast Queens, there are no storm sewers or catch basins, exacerbating the problem. Building a storm surge barrier across New York Harbor from New York City to New Jersey could potentially protect the area, but it is not envisioned by the HAT study.

The DEP has previously focused on coastal flooding areas but is now expanding into inland areas affected by pluvial flooding (rain flooding). Measures to address storm surge problems like those experienced by New York City during Hurricane Sandy include building and raising levees and dikes, relocating dikes further inland combined with levee height increases, and enhancing coastal protection infrastructure. However, such measures may not fully prevent flooding as water can bypass or flood areas not protected by existing dikes, calling for more innovative and comprehensive adaptation strategies to address rising sea levels and repeat storm surges.

Unfortunately, human nature often requires repeated events and significant losses before taking storm surge issues seriously. It took the 2012 Superstorm Sandy for significant action to be taken against storm surge issues, and another storm surge may be needed to spur more action.

In conclusion, while efforts are underway to improve New York City's stormwater management system, the city is not fully protected against a storm surge, which could happen tomorrow. It is crucial for city officials and residents to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing this ongoing threat.

Environmentalist with years of experience addresses resistance to increased downpours