Embedded Files
🏁 3rd Qtr • "A Journey of Stories" • 2025 🏁
'Sandy' 10 Years Later
- By Evan McNeeley
People along the shores of New York City are underwater whenever a large storm hits nowadays, rainfall overburdens most (if not all) the outdated storm drains in the 'outer boroughs' which are already below sea level; some say from the affects of climate change. The overflow from the backup pours into block after block of basements, submerging parked vehicles as well as carrying loose property away; it is a hazardous, costly situation and 'true emergency.' Where once 'hurricane territory' was Florida, Gulf States (Tornado Alley), the Southern States and Caribbean (toward West Africa) ...the Northeast of the U.S. has been hit 'pretty hard' in the last decade with Hurricane IDA & IAN most recently... 2021 & 22 respectively.
Some attribute this to changing weather patterns caused by global industry. The Debate is ongoing, the information conflicting and people disagree to the exact extant pollution has had; all agree that it has played a part, though, if not the sole cause.
The facts visible to local Coastal residents however, are that Sea level has been rising steadily, markedly measured (though in small yearly increments) and their streets are turned into rivers with every large storm. Flash Flooding is not unique to NYC as previously stated and has become a concern stretching the whole Eastern Seaboard, all the way to Canada. NYC has become 'Hurricane Territory' along with New Jersey, New England and Nova Scotia... this is something new and not what these people were ready for, the effects have been devastating.
In NYC, Mayor Adams is taking storms very seriously today. There have also been ongoing meetings with local officials all along the coastal zones where homeowners, tenants and business-people alike are demanding action and answers.
Some attribute this to changing weather patterns caused by global industry. The Debate is ongoing, the information conflicting and people disagree to the exact extant pollution has had; all agree that it has played a part, though, if not the sole cause.
The facts visible to local Coastal residents however, are that Sea level has been rising steadily, markedly measured (though in small yearly increments) and their streets are turned into rivers with every large storm. Flash Flooding is not unique to NYC as previously stated and has become a concern stretching the whole Eastern Seaboard, all the way to Canada. NYC has become 'Hurricane Territory' along with New Jersey, New England and Nova Scotia... this is something new and not what these people were ready for, the effects have been devastating.
In NYC, Mayor Adams is taking storms very seriously today. There have also been ongoing meetings with local officials all along the coastal zones where homeowners, tenants and business-people alike are demanding action and answers.
Coastal Flooding in NYC
A map, prepared by Kulp et al., of areas in New York City flooded by Hurricane Sandy. Both blue and orange areas were flooded, but the orange areas would not have flooded were it not for the 20-centimeter rise in sea level over the 20th century. The large orange and blue area at the lower right of the map is John F. Kennedy International Airport. The map was created by the simulation program, and the authors stress that it is provisional and subject to refinement.
Source: EOS.org - https://eos.org/articles/sea-level-rise-added-2-billion-to-sandys-toll-in-new-york-city
Source: NYC Office of Emergency Management / Mayor's Office - https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/plans/flood-resilience-zoning-text-update/flood-resilience-zoning-text-update.page
The NYC Office of Emergency Management is 'all hands on deck' along with the Mayor's Office and the Army Corps of Engineers. This has helped prevent extensive damage with the onset of newer Hurricanes almost the strength of Sandy over the years. They are 'far from finished' and are consistently dedicating more money plus resources in the wake of disasters like Ida & Ian and have come up with 'good planning,' implementing massive zoning changes.
October 29th, 2022 is the Ten Year Mark from when NYC was really underwater... lower Manhattan Blacked Out and Gas Shortages were happening, Food & Water was scarce in some areas and Cell Service was down where the Hurricane hit along the Shore. "It was a disaster beyond comprehension... I was a Red Cross Volunteer and responded for five days. I was sent to Lido Beach on Long Island to pick up food and distribute it. I distributed approximately 1,000 meals (both packaged food and fresh food) as well as bottled water. The water from the pipes was undrinkable. Gas had run out and all the supermarkets were looted, the companies stopped delivering. It was November and there was no electricity (or heat). The NYPD set up generators to provide light at night and were posted like an occupying army along different points of Rockaway Blvd. The Cell towers were down, no deliveries of anything were being made to the area... when people said 'god bless you' to us while distributing food, they honestly meant it.
“Sandy was a wake-up call for us, but we are better prepared today,” said Ciorra. “The 10-year anniversary is a great time to reflect on our success, but more work needs to be done to reduce our vulnerabilities and we can’t take our foot off the gas.” Nine additional projects were authorized through the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Bill, six of which are currently in progress.Source: Army Corps of Engineers NYC - https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Story-Article-View/Article/3201771/10-years-after-superstorm-sandy-whats-been-done-and-the-road-ahead/
The Army Corps of Engineers have been 'very' busy in protecting NYC along with the OEM & Mayor's Office.
Coney Island, New York ($33M) – This project included the construction of 4 new T-groin structures and placement of 70,000 cubic yards of sand in Sea Gate to protect the integrity of the existing coastal storm risk reduction project at Coney Island that reduces risk to the residents of the adjacent communities. The project was completed in June 2016.Rockaway, New York ($702M) - New York District is currently working on a comprehensive coastal storm risk reduction project that includes construction of a reinforced steel sheet pile dune, new and extended groins with beach restoration, and re-nourishment along the Atlantic Ocean shorefront. New York District is also working on a nature-based plan with structural features to be constructed on the Jamaica Bay shoreline to address coastal storm surge flooding. Two construction contracts totaling $340 million are ongoing along the shorefront until early 2026 while design work continues on the Jamaica Bay features with construction scheduled to start in 2025. New York District - is currently in the midst of executing a Superstorm Sandy Coastal Storm Risk Reduction program funded under Public Law 113-2, the Emergency Supplemental Bill passed shortly after Superstorm Sandy. This $6B comprehensive portfolio required repair and restoration of 8 existing projects–most of which were substantially completed by December 2014—less than 18 months after construction began in July 2013 at a cost of $242M. Over 15.2 million cubic yards of sand was placed on beaches for projects in New York City, Long Island, and Northern New Jersey. Another $158M effort saw the District repair 29 federally maintained navigation projects for channels and structures impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
- Source: Army Corps of Engineers
- Source: Army Corps of Engineers
“In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy came ashore during a spring high tide on the New Jersey coastline, delivering hurricane-force winds, storm tides exceeding 19 feet, driving rain, and plummeting temperatures.” The storm “resulted in 72 direct fatalities … and economic impacts estimated at near $50 billion.”Source: (USGS Circular 1390, 2013) https://www.usgs.gov/centers/new-york-water-science-center/news/10th-anniversary-hurricane-sandy
The East River overflowed its banks, flooding large sections of Lower Manhattan. Battery Park had a water surge of 13.88 ft.[254] Seven subway tunnels under the East River were flooded.[255] The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that the destruction caused by the storm was the worst disaster in the 108-year history of the New York City subway system.[256] Sea water flooded the Ground Zero construction site including the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.[257] Over 10 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage were released by the storm, 94% of which went into waters in and around New York and New Jersey.[258] In addition, a four-story Chelsea building's facade crumbled and collapsed, leaving the interior on full display; however, no one was hurt by the falling masonry.[259] The Atlantic Ocean storm surge also caused considerable flood damage to homes, buildings, roadways, boardwalks and mass transit facilities in low-lying coastal areas of the outer boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.Source: Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Sandy
Superstorm Sandy was a costly disaster for the unprepared Northeast.
Superstorm Sandy was said to be a '50 year event,' even then NYC did not expect to have smaller but similarly destructive storms pass over like Hurricane Ida & Ian. Planning and readiness for storms had been nowhere near the effort in Florida for example, where it is a yearly seasonal occurrence that has become a part of life.
Public info campaigns about Hurricanes (like in Florida) were non-existent in NYC for the most part up to 2021... then 'IDA' hit ...this changed the game forever. Public officials scrambled to help the public recover form Hurricane Ida but it still didn't seem to set in fully... that we must make it a 'part of our lives'now ...Hurricane Ian in 2022 has made everyone 'believers.'
Hurricanes have been increasing in number and intensity steadily over the years. 2020 was a 'record year' and 2021 almost the same (but ran out of storm names temporarily?). 2022 seemed to let us 'off the hook' then bam ...Hurricane Fiona then Ian. Hurricane Ian was quoted as a '500 year' storm by Governor DeSantis, Ft. Meyers was 'wiped off the map' (as quoted by locals, there) went it went through.
Public info campaigns about Hurricanes (like in Florida) were non-existent in NYC for the most part up to 2021... then 'IDA' hit ...this changed the game forever. Public officials scrambled to help the public recover form Hurricane Ida but it still didn't seem to set in fully... that we must make it a 'part of our lives'now ...Hurricane Ian in 2022 has made everyone 'believers.'
Hurricanes have been increasing in number and intensity steadily over the years. 2020 was a 'record year' and 2021 almost the same (but ran out of storm names temporarily?). 2022 seemed to let us 'off the hook' then bam ...Hurricane Fiona then Ian. Hurricane Ian was quoted as a '500 year' storm by Governor DeSantis, Ft. Meyers was 'wiped off the map' (as quoted by locals, there) went it went through.
'Ida' was devastating as well... and a real 'wake up' for NYC that Coastal Flooding is here to stay.
The Daily News said this about 'Ida:'
The remnants of Hurricane Ida made its way up the east coast and struck New York City on Sept. 1, 2021, bringing with it devastation. The storm killed 13 people in New York alone, including a 2-year-old child. Many of the victims were trapped by floodwaters in their basement apartments. Look back at the wreckage on the anniversary of the storm.
Source: Daily News - https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-ida-storm-hurricane-flooding-20210904-jb6wnddo2rf6pnuvfhqzcn57k4-photogallery.html
The remnants of Hurricane Ida made its way up the east coast and struck New York City on Sept. 1, 2021, bringing with it devastation. The storm killed 13 people in New York alone, including a 2-year-old child. Many of the victims were trapped by floodwaters in their basement apartments. Look back at the wreckage on the anniversary of the storm.
Source: Daily News - https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-ida-storm-hurricane-flooding-20210904-jb6wnddo2rf6pnuvfhqzcn57k4-photogallery.html
A person who eventually waded to a truck, moves amongst cars and other trucks that are stranded by high water Thursday, Sept 2, 2021, on the Major Deegan Expressway in Bronx borough of New York as high water left behind by Hurricane Ida still stands on the highway hours later. (Craig Ruttle/AP)
Source: Daily News - https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-ida-storm-hurricane-flooding-20210904-jb6wnddo2rf6pnuvfhqzcn57k4-photogallery.html
Source: Daily News - https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-ida-storm-hurricane-flooding-20210904-jb6wnddo2rf6pnuvfhqzcn57k4-photogallery.html
One year later, NYC denies Hurricane Ida insurance claims
We are nearing one year since Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc across the area. Residents whose homes were devastated by the floods are now finding out that they won't be getting any money from the city as every single financial claim was denied, something the comptroller is blaming on an antiquated legal precedent.
Source: FOX 5 - https://www.fox5ny.com/news/one-year-since-hurricane-ida-devestated-new-york-cityFox News reported what NYC went through with 'Ida' and how they felt about it.
"The sewer system did what it was supposed to do, but Mother Nature threw something unprecedented. That’s why there was no liability the comptroller found for the damages," said Rohit Aggarwala, Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner. "The city is liable when the sewers fail, not when the sewers are overtaxed because of what mother nature does." Since Hurricane Ida, Aggarwala explains the city has been working to try and prevent another devastating aftermath.
"We are in the middle of a multi-year, multi-billion dollar effort, particularly to build out those storm sewers in Southeast Queens," he said. The city is also focusing on what Aggarwala says is stormwater management, starting with creating the latest Rainfall Ready Map. It has now expanded to new areas most vulnerable to future flooding.
Danette Rivera, Xavier Iriarte and Pat Grindlinger and her husband Hank are now all included in the flooding zone. Homeowners there are being encouraged to get flood insurance.
"We need homeowners who are at risk to think about what they can do to protect their property. The DEP has taken steps and reached out to most vulnerable homeowners, providing inflatable flood dams," said Aggarwala.
Source: FOX 5 - https://www.fox5ny.com/news/one-year-since-hurricane-ida-devestated-new-york-city
New Zoning - Requiring Structures to be a certain height above Sea Level, by area & 'flood zone' were enacted.
But NYC Bounced Back! Ian hit us hard recently & we were more ready. Today Surfers are out on Waves during Hurricanes! Like Pierre & Anthony down at Beach 67 in Arverne (Far Rockaways)
I interviewed Pierre Hugot - Surfer (Surfed Hurricane Ian)
I talked to him on Beach 67 as he was going in the water on Oct 22, 2022 ...he Surfed Hurricane Ian.
I talked to him on Beach 67 as he was going in the water on Oct 22, 2022 ...he Surfed Hurricane Ian.
He said: [Hurricane Ian was a surfing] "swell" …”fat waves” is his quote... he used a ‘Short Board’ instead of his 'Long Board' for Ian. [They were 'clean waves'] …not tearing up the beach but [...came up on the beach more than usual, though].
[The surf was 2 long boards high] he went on in a few words (motioning his hand in the air to how high) holding his surfboard up (bottom in the sand) while talking to me (and Anthony, who I interviewed later confirmed this, that the waves were 'two long boards high' ...approximately). ‘Challenging’ was mentioned by Pierre about Hurricane Ian.
Pierre said 'Pro Surfers' came out for 'Ian' …that surfed further out past the Jetties than the locals do. [Most Surfers stay in between the Jetties] he related. The Pros ride the waves longer. I thanked him and said when the story would be on the page here.
[The surf was 2 long boards high] he went on in a few words (motioning his hand in the air to how high) holding his surfboard up (bottom in the sand) while talking to me (and Anthony, who I interviewed later confirmed this, that the waves were 'two long boards high' ...approximately). ‘Challenging’ was mentioned by Pierre about Hurricane Ian.
Pierre said 'Pro Surfers' came out for 'Ian' …that surfed further out past the Jetties than the locals do. [Most Surfers stay in between the Jetties] he related. The Pros ride the waves longer. I thanked him and said when the story would be on the page here.
Anthony - Surfboard Tribe NYC
Hurricane Ian lasted 4 days but nothing made it past the Dune/Berm (said Anthony)[Waves came straight in] (he surfed it as well) "...perfect offshore winds..." [confirmed clean waves Pierre and I talked about][Rainy… &] "less crowded” Anthony mentioned this... and he smiled (me too). "Great location! Great people!" - Evan
'Surfboard Tribe NYC' is a Bright Spot on Beach 67. It has what you need to surf. 'Beach 67' is 'the Place' to Surf in NYC. A quick train ride on the 'A' to... Beach 67 (Arverne by the Sea) Far Rockaways (not 'Euclid' A Train ...there are two) or easy Highway/Bridge access. A nicer and nicer drive as you get closer and closer to the shore. It is very 'find-able' (yet 'tucked away'). 'Surfboard Tribe' is a nice set up... and the Entrance to the Beach is right there over the Dune. There is a real 'Beach Tribe' of Surfers (and Friends) right there, just over the Berm (Dune/with Boardwalk on top) 'camping out' for the day. It is a clean Beach and everything is new after 'Hurricane Sandy.' Ample, modern Male and Female separate Bathrooms are right there on the Boardwalk (visible with the Boardwalk in the background on one of the pics). 'Surfboard Tribe NYC' is a 'nice little camp' itself on the 'Shore Road side' of the Dune... 'the Dune' is there to protect the 'picturesque beach town' (neighborhood) that is 'Arverne' and the Amry Corps of Engineers were there in the off season adding much more sand... gigantic piles.
It is a somewhat tight community and real neighborhood but welcoming and friendly ('laid back,' like other Coastal Communities). Anthony (at 'Surfboard Tribe' ...see photo) knows the Surfers and is known 'by' them (they all know each other basically). The Scene there is not small but not gigantic either ...and Pro-Surfers 'do' come to NYC... 'Beach 67' ('Arverne by the Sea' in the Rockaways) is where they come to when they do.
'Surfboard Tribe NYC' is a Bright Spot on Beach 67. It has what you need to surf. 'Beach 67' is 'the Place' to Surf in NYC. A quick train ride on the 'A' to... Beach 67 (Arverne by the Sea) Far Rockaways (not 'Euclid' A Train ...there are two) or easy Highway/Bridge access. A nicer and nicer drive as you get closer and closer to the shore. It is very 'find-able' (yet 'tucked away'). 'Surfboard Tribe' is a nice set up... and the Entrance to the Beach is right there over the Dune. There is a real 'Beach Tribe' of Surfers (and Friends) right there, just over the Berm (Dune/with Boardwalk on top) 'camping out' for the day. It is a clean Beach and everything is new after 'Hurricane Sandy.' Ample, modern Male and Female separate Bathrooms are right there on the Boardwalk (visible with the Boardwalk in the background on one of the pics). 'Surfboard Tribe NYC' is a 'nice little camp' itself on the 'Shore Road side' of the Dune... 'the Dune' is there to protect the 'picturesque beach town' (neighborhood) that is 'Arverne' and the Amry Corps of Engineers were there in the off season adding much more sand... gigantic piles.
It is a somewhat tight community and real neighborhood but welcoming and friendly ('laid back,' like other Coastal Communities). Anthony (at 'Surfboard Tribe' ...see photo) knows the Surfers and is known 'by' them (they all know each other basically). The Scene there is not small but not gigantic either ...and Pro-Surfers 'do' come to NYC... 'Beach 67' ('Arverne by the Sea' in the Rockaways) is where they come to when they do.
Arverne’s housing reputation just took a big leap after the storm swept away many Rockaway neighborhoods and left others looking like war zones. Arverne was barely damaged and homes continued to sell after the storm. EEK associate principal Eric Fang, who worked on the site plan a decade ago, told Better! Cities & Towns that the planners took action to prevent wave damage, including incorporating a dune setback zone.Gerry Romski, the development’s project executive, told The New York Times that global warming and sea level rise were talked about from the earliest stages of design. “A heavy-duty, sophisticated drainage system, designed to handle flood surges, was instrumental in mitigating flooding,” the Times reports. “The system – which features underground chambers, wide street mains and storm drains on each house property – connects to large sewer mains that the developer installed in public streets that they rebuilt around the project site, as part of an agreement with the city… .Source: Plan Hillsborough - https://planhillsborough.org/queens-development-hangs-tough-in-hurricane/
Giuseppe Said: {Nothing in the open lots before Sandy.]
[The Water was not up] on Rockaway Blvd [for Ian and a little bit during] Sandy. Sand was put up to protect apartments and this was also written about in other papers; that Arverne was ready and relatively untouched.
[The Water was not up] on Rockaway Blvd [for Ian and a little bit during] Sandy. Sand was put up to protect apartments and this was also written about in other papers; that Arverne was ready and relatively untouched.
Giuseppe DaPonte - Owner of ‘Boardwalk Pizza’ in 'Arvene'
So I was doing this story on Coastal Flooding in NYC... 'Sandy' 10 years later ...'Hurricane Ida' & 'Ian'... and talked to Surfers on the Beach that surfed 'Ian' (Beach 67) just recently. 'Beach 67' is 'the spot' for surfing in NYC. I was sooo happy I got these interviews and went and got a slice of pizza at 'Boardwalk Pizza' before I hopped back on the Train (the 'Beach 67' stop on the 'A Train'), right there behind a beautiful and impressive strip of storefronts facing the Ocean (which 'Boardwalk Pizza' is a part of). The slice was great... and I asked if anyone was around for 'Hurricane Sandy' (no luck) ...so I went outside to enjoy the air while eating. There is 'great outdoor space' attached to 'Boardwalk Pizza' (and the other storefronts there). It is all brand new ...the neighborhood of 'Arverne' as well (in the Rockaways, Queens)... right at the water. It is like a 'Picturesque Beach Town' and this Pizzeria is a representation of it. I actually met the owner (Giuseppe) he is from Italy (standing in one of the photos at the Entrance), he likes it there at 'Arverne' so much he bought the Pizzeria and serves a 'More European' style of food, he says. The Pizzeria was amply patronized when I went in... mid October (half full) ...the 'Summer Season' over (when he does very well he says) ...with February being slowest. He has a full menu of Pasta, Chicken (and various meat) Dishes... 'Vegan Options' as well. It is very clean (which was nice to be in), the people are 'laid back' there too (I like that). Giuseppe likes it so much he travels every day from Manhattan (he added) and is considering a place in the new units being built across the street (either apartment or condo/co-op). It is an amazing development going on through the whole area of 'Arverne' with 2,000 more units and a school being added... [There was nothing before 'Hurricane Sandy' (he says)] ...it seems 'Arverne' (the name of the Neighborhood) is 'on the way up' (even 'more up' than its current state) along with 'Boardwalk Pizzeria.' "I'm happy I stopped in here!" - Evan
"NYC has great information about Hurricanes & Flooding now on it's Office of Emergency Management Website (OEM) ...check it out" - Evan
Storms were not a large concern or priority in NYC before 'Super-Storm Sandy'... but since then and with the occurrence of 'Hurricane Ida' and now 'Ian' hitting NYC recently ...people are talking and demanding a plan with action to protect the coastal neighborhoods more.
There are many different views of the storm occurrences and many public meetings that have been held... the diversity ranges from tragedy to heroes responding to deficiencies identified in our 'storm drains' to the public demanding answers and action before the next giant storm hits.
We are 'far from done' in protecting our coasts but we are a lot safer since 'Sandy.'
- Evan McNeeley (Editor)
Between►press Archives...not all the past stories but some...
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse