New York City’s Infrastructure Struggles Once More as Historic Rains Hit Amid Climate Change
New York City’s Infrastructure Struggles Once More as Historic Rains Hit Amid Climate Change
A powerful storm inundated parts of New York City with more than 7 inches of rainfall in under 24 hours on Friday. This deluge transformed streets into rushing rivers and brought subway travel to a standstill as water poured into underground transit stations.
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This storm struck just two years after Hurricane Ida’s remnants caused significant flooding across the city, resulting in at least 13 fatalities. It once again exposed the vulnerability of New York City’s aging infrastructure to extreme weather events intensified by climate change. Despite more than a decade passing since Hurricane Sandy prompted reevaluations of climate resilience, it appears there’s still much work to be done.
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Some of the hardest-hit areas experienced heavy rainfall, with rates reaching up to 2.5 inches per hour. Flash flooding closed numerous roads, submerged cars, and left several city buses stranded. Subways, regional rail lines, and air travel were either halted or faced severe delays. Additionally, a Brooklyn school had to be evacuated due to the storm.
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Joseph Kane, an infrastructure expert at the Brookings Institute, emphasized that city leaders must acknowledge the increasing extremity and unpredictability of the climate, requiring substantial investments. However, he noted that such actions are often taken belatedly.
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Steve Bowen, Chief Science Officer at Gallagher Re, a global reinsurance broker, highlighted how events like this underscore the swift changes in risk for cities like New York as climate change escalates rainfall and puts strain on existing infrastructure. Warmer atmospheres can hold and deliver more moisture, intensifying storms.
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The storm prompted flood watches for around 23 million people in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, characterizing the storm as a “life-threatening rainfall event.” Mayor Eric Adams also declared a state of emergency but faced criticism for a perceived slow response.
Zachary Iscol, New York City’s Emergency Management Commissioner, revealed that Friday marked the city’s wettest day since Hurricane Ida.
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Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 was anticipated to serve as a wakeup call for climate and weather risk awareness in New York. However, not enough progress has been made in strengthening the city’s climate resilience. A report found that the city had utilized only 73% of the $15 billion in federal grant funding received after Hurricane Sandy as of June 2022. Most of the city’s contributions to resilience projects had remained unused.
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Louise Yeung, the Comptroller’s Chief Climate Officer, noted that progress had been slow. She emphasized that heavy rainstorms like this one are becoming the new normal, necessitating investments in green infrastructure, storm sewer system upgrades, and improved emergency communication for flash flooding.
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Hurricane Ida had previously exposed vulnerabilities, particularly basement dwellings that were flooded. A report suggested registering these dwellings, conducting safety inspections, and installing valves to prevent sewer water from rising into cellars.
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Mona Hemmati, a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia Climate School, emphasized how this storm highlights the challenges coastal communities face, compounded by climate change. Urbanized areas with impermeable surfaces are prone to runoff and flooding.
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Despite some progress, Hemmati noted that New York City’s stormwater management systems are outdated and unequipped to handle current runoff levels.
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Public awareness and engagement are also crucial in building climate resilience at the community level, according to Hemmati.
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Notably, most New Yorkers do not have flood insurance for their properties, which poses risks to their communities. The potential government shutdown could further complicate recovery efforts.
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The National Flood Insurance Program’s authorization is set to lapse on October 1, which could limit its ability to pay claims after a flood unless Congress acts. While FEMA is expected to remain operational during the shutdown, other federal government functions may be affected.
