Waterfront Alliance Boat Tour – Ten Years After Sandy: Assessing the Social Resilience and Physical Resilience of Waterfront Communities

“The boat tour, which occurred in partnership with New York Cruise Lines and the Rise to Resilience Coalition, visited Hoboken (New Jersey), South Street Seaport, the North Shore of Staten Island, and Red Hook (Brooklyn). At each stop, community representatives and elected officials boarded the boat and addressed the passengers, describing that neighborhood’s experiences during and after the storm ten years ago, and their situations now. Between stops, as the boat crisscrossed the Hudson River, East River, and New York Harbor, speakers were called to the microphone by host Tyler Taba, Waterfront Alliance senior manager for climate policy.” - The Waterfront Alliance; WaterWire

Hurricane Sandy is a story of destruction and loss that New York City remembers all too well. On October 29th, 2012 the storm surge of the hurricane directly hit New York City and caused severe flooding all throughout the surrounding boroughs. Throughout the effects of the storm, citizens were left without power for weeks and many lost their homes due to the damaging fallout. In total, Hurricane Sandy would result in $68.7 billion in damages.

While the majority of the story regarding Hurricane Sandy lies within the destruction caused, as we reflect 10 years later the story is now one of resilience and recovery.

Since the landfall of Sandy, the surrounding social and physical resilience has resulted in a variety of infrastructural programs that are focused on bolstering protection of these vulnerable communities. Nothing exemplified this effort more than the recent Waterfront Alliance Sandy Boat Tour held on October 26th.

Waterfront Alliance - Hurricane Sandy Boat Tour

The Waterfront Alliance partnered with New York Cruise Lines as well as the Rise to Resilience Coalition to host a comprehensive boat tour illustrating the city’s fight to ensure these communities are stronger when the next severe climate event arises. The event made note of highlighting current resiliency projects such as East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, South Battery Park City Resiliency Project, Red Hook Coastal Resiliency Project, and Living Breakwaters off the coast of Staten Island.

Departing from Pier 81 the sail covered areas such as Hoboken, South Street Seaport, North Shore of Staten Island and Red Hook, Brooklyn. The memory of Hurricane Sandy is strong and it shows through the effort being made by public officials to accelerate and focus on the completion of resiliency projects around the city.

Aboard the cruise were a variety of speakers spanning the Waterfront Alliance, City Authority Officials, New York City Council Members, Resident Committees and more. Across community organizations, volunteer members, public officials and the private sector there is a sense of togetherness that is propelling the progress of these programs that will help protect New Yorkers for years to come.

10 Years After Sandy - Improved Flood Protection

Coney Island was one of the hardest hit areas throughout the hurricane. With its proximity to the ocean, officials are wary that Coney Island will always be at risk of flooding even during a standard high tide. However, homes are being added in the area at a much faster rate since Hurricane Sandy. While it may seem perplexing to be adding housing to such a vulnerable area, officials are taking a different approach.

Instead of Coney Island banking on future climate conditions improving, they are focusing on the future technological innovations that have the potential to allow people to live in areas impacted by climate change. The new building codes and requirements such as backwater valve installation, standby power systems, mobile flood barriers and the elevation of important equipment are the first steps in the right direction.

When the City Council created 4,500 units of new housing and concerns arose, there was a tandem initiative to upgrade and improve surrounding infrastructure for better drainage and heightened protection. Coney Island serves as a microcosm of the grand plans that many communities in New York City have in building a more protected and sustainable approach to future climate events.

Garrison™️ Flood Control - Serving Future Flood Solutions

Being in attendance of the Waterfront Alliance Sandy Boat Tour, Garrison Flood Control’s main mission is to provide the most innovative and effective solutions to help combat severe flood events. Hurricane Sandy serves as a cornerstone memory that fuels our mission to help keep the city protected.

Our wide range of flood control products fit into the emergency plans across every community not just in New York City, but the United States as a whole. Flooding events are becoming more severe as the years pass without any signs of slowing down. Therefore, the ability to secure, store and deploy effective methods of flood protection has never been more important.

We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, expertise and product offerings to help fit any emergency flood plan that is being created. With 10 years passing since Hurricane Sandy, we are proud to be part of the proactive climate change initiatives to help keep New York City safe.

Garrison is here to help you find the best products that fit your protection needs. Feel free to contact us and we can start creating a dedicated flood plan for your property.

Garrison™ Flood Control is a New York-based manufacturer and distributor of a complete line of flood control products. Garrison products contain, divert, and re-route water away from valuable property, equipment, infrastructure, and facilities and help prevent flood damage due to rising water levels.

If you would like additional information about Garrison™️ Flood Control Systems, please call 929-299-2099 or email sales@garrisonflood.com.