Environmentalist confronts resilience against increasing downpours due to heavy rainfall
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the city of New York and its surrounding areas are gearing up to tackle the increasing threat of storm surges. The Harbor and Tributaries Study, a project aimed at addressing these issues, brings together key players such as the federal government, the states of New York and New Jersey, and New York City.
Current plans focus on recognizing that existing and raised dikes alone may not be enough to handle future sea level rise and storm impacts. As a result, more research on alternative coastal adaptation measures is necessary, as the risk of storm surges is expected to increase significantly without further action.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has traditionally focused on coastal areas, but the first time it is turning its attention to inland areas is due to rain flooding, not coastal flooding. The DEP is now focusing on increasing storm sewer capacity in areas affected by rainfall and storm water flow.
However, it's important to note that the Harbor and Tributaries Study does not fully provide for the knowledge of current threatening danger from storm surge. The city has taken certain measures related to storm surge, but it is not fully protected against a storm surge.
Interestingly, building a storm surge barrier across New York Harbor is not part of the HAT study's plans. It seems that another storm surge and significant financial losses may be needed for the city to get serious about addressing storm surge issues.
In conclusion, the city and its stakeholders are taking steps to address the growing threat of storm surges, but more research and action are needed to ensure the safety and resilience of New York City in the face of climate change.
