In October 2012, a massive storm surge demonstrated its potential for destruction in a major metropolitan area when Hurricane Sandy tore through New York City. The storm’s force destroyed neighborhoods and businesses, shut down global commerce on the New York Stock Exchange, and brought the city’s public transportation system to a grinding
halt. In the space of a few days, New York City officials and residents understood their vulnerability better than ever before.
If the city did not take action to protect its people and infrastructure in the very near future, damages could continue to
mount as climate change sends more major storms up the east coast.
An artist’s rendering of what parts of the dryline/
BIG U flood risk reduction system could look like.
Too little or too much, water is playing a major role in sustainability
planning across the country.
BY RANDI MINETOR
