The interactive storm water flood map can show New Yorkers what areas are susceptible to flooding during severe rainfall. Image credit: NYC OpenData.

On July 7, 2022, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, along with New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, and New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol, released the Rainfall Ready NYC action plan. This plan was designed to prepare the City’s government and residents for future extreme rainfall, given current climate changes. (more…)

Mayor de Blasio holds up copy of a new report outlining new strategies for the City’s future response to extreme weather. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Recommendations include citizen education and investments in infrastructure upgrades. On September 27, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the release of “The New Normal: Combatting Storm-Related Extreme Weather in New York City.” The report establishes an extreme weather response blueprint for the city and was the creation of the Extreme Weather Response Task Force. The task force consisted of City agency leaders and experts on climate change and resiliency, and came together in response to develop new protocols and policies to protect from future storms like the multiple severe storms the city experienced this past summer. (more…)

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announces Operation Urban Sustainability on Earth Day. Image credit: Queens Borough President’s Office/Twitter.

On April 22, 2022, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announced the start of Operation Urban Sustainability, a group that will consist of borough and city leaders in sustainability and resiliency who will work together to guide environmental initiatives in Queens. In recent years, Queens has seen devastating flooding, including last year’s Hurricane Ida, where dangerous flash flooding killed thirteen people, mostly in Queens. The announcement is part of a growing response on a borough and citywide level to address environmental concerns and protect New Yorkers.  (more…)

Rendering of proposed flood resiliency infrastructure prior to the Project’s approval. The construction will now begin. /Image Credit: DDC, Parks, DOT, DEP, and Mayor’s Office of Resiliency/CPC

The ambitious project will help to protect the East Side community and provide new improvements to many parks. On April 15, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced major construction on the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project. The $1.45 billion project will extend flooding protections and improve open spaces.  Neighborhoods that were heavily affected by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 will now be home to one of New York City’s most ambitious infrastructure and climate justice projects. For CityLand’s prior coverage of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, click here. (more…)

Road restoration on 130th Avenue. Image Credit: NYC DEP

The project is set to be completed one season early and over $1 million under budget. On March 4, 2020, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection announced that a major infrastructure upgrade project in Rosedale, Queens, would be completed ahead of schedule. The area, from 130th Avenue to the north, 133th Avenue to the South, and Brookville Boulevard to the west, is part of an area in southeast Queens that has faced flooding in the past. (more…)