Course Blog for MCC-UE : Digital Media Theory & Practice, MCC-NYU,
Prof. Jamie Skye Bianco
Rise and Surge in NYC
In 2012, the Northeastern United States was hit by a massive Atlantic hurricane known as Superstorm Sandy. This storm was one of the largest and most devastating to hit the area in many years, causing widespread destruction through flooding, power outages, and property damage. Over 120 people lost their lives and the storm resulted in billions of dollars in economic losses. This disaster served as a wake-up call, highlighting the importance of communities being ready and able to withstand the effects of severe weather events.
What Sandy brings to New York?
The impact of hurricane Sandy on the vulnerability focuses on how the superstorm impacted the demographics with the highest flood risk in NYC. Jacob William Faber delves into the social, economic and demographic factors that make certain communities more susceptible to floods and the effect that Sandy had on these communities.
The danger posed by the Sandy Storm to New York was substantial and far-reaching. In 2012, the city was hit by this superstorm which caused widespread flooding and inflicted harm on infrastructure, homes, and businesses. The storm also uncovered the city's susceptibility to the consequences of rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Studies have demonstrated that the demographics of the city's flood risk have changed, with low-income and minority communities becoming increasingly vulnerable.
"Analysis of racial and ethnic differences between flooded and dry areas that census tracts with centroids within experience any flooding were just over 30% white, 29.2% black, 24.8% Asian and Latino New Yorkers..."
We all belong to one of these groups in New York. These communities face particular difficulties in the aftermath of such events, including difficulties accessing resources and support for recovery. To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to comprehend the impacts of the Sandy Storm and prepare for future storm threats.
You still think New York is just a bystander in future storm?
Utilizing NOAA's SLOSH model for the potential impact of increased water levels, severe weather including past storm information, and IPCC SRES greenhouse gas emissions scenarios by Columbia University, Vivien Gornitz and Cynthia Rosenzweig predict future storm surges and evaluate the danger of coastal flooding in the New York City metropolitan area in their research article Severe Storms and Sea Level Rise in New York City. The findings show and prove that the city is vulnerable to the consequences of rising sea levels and storms, with a substantial increase in the frequency and severity of flooding anticipated in the coming years.
"OEM evacuation zones suggested flooding could have reached even further inland especially in Brooklyn and the Bronx, had the storm been more severe." Dangers are keep approaching. New York City is facing an increased risk of both the city's infrastructure and its residents. The potential consequences of these impacts include not only the damage to buildings, homes, and businesses, but also the displacement of communities, the loss of important cultural and historical landmarks, and the disruption of critical services such as power, water, and transportation.
To prepare for these threats and to mitigate their impacts, it is essential that the city take steps to address the underlying causes of climate change, while also strengthening its resilience to the impacts of future storms.
What can we do in the future?
With a specific emphasis on the New York metropolitan area, H. Salmun, A. Molod, F. S. Buonaiuto, K. Wisniewska, and K. C. Clark examine data and conduct research to comprehend the frequency, severity, and impacts of these storms and how they impact the region's infrastructure and communities as to forecast the possible outcomes of these findings for policymakers and decision-makers, in terms of creating strategies and policies to minimize the risk of future storms and enhance the resilience of the region to severe weather events.
Addition by Faber's suggestion that implementing proactive measures, such as coastal protection and improved drainage systems, to reduce the risk of harm and minimize the effects of future storms. The study emphasizes the significance of adaptation strategies to address the effects of climate change and enhance the resilience of coastal communities.
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As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, New Yorkers are facing a daunting challenge in the form of increasingly frequent and intense storms coupled with rising sea levels. The combination of these two factors presents a serious threat to the safety, security, and well-being of the city's residents and its infrastructure. It is clear that new and innovative solutions are needed to address these challenges and to ensure that New York remains a resilient and thriving city in the face of a changing climate.
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Work Cited
Faber, Jacob William. "Superstorm Sandy and the Demographics of Flood Risk in New York City." Human Ecology, vol. 43, no. 3, 2015, pp. 363-378. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24762762. Accessed 3 Feb. 2023.
Gornitz, Vivien, and Cynthia Rosenzweig. "Severe Storms and Sea Level Rise in New York City." Water Resources IMPACT, vol. 11, no. 1, 2009, pp. 10-14. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/wateresoimpa.11.1.0010. Accessed 3 Feb. 2023.
"Hurricane Floods More Likely Due to Climate Change." Live Science, Purch, 3 Oct. 2012, www.livescience.com/56447-hurricane-floods-more-likely-climate-change.html.
"NYC Hurricane Expert: Sandy Wasn't the Big One." Grist, 3 Oct. 2012, grist.org/cities/nyc-hurricane-expert-sandy-wasnt-the-big-one/.
Salmun, H., et al. "East Coast Cool-Weather Storms in the New York Metropolitan Region." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, vol. 48, no. 11, 2009, pp. 2320-2330. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/26173707. Accessed 3 Feb. 2023.
"Storms and Natural Disasters." e-Education at Penn State, The Pennsylvania State University, www.e-education.psu.edu/earth107/node/1604. Accessed 3 Feb. 2023.
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