Map of the Day: If NYC Flooded Every 10 Years...

Via the CityRoom, this is a map from the Union of Concerned Scientists that depicts what would happen to the city if we don't confront climate change. From page 2 of the report on New York (PDF):

Coastal flooding.
Rising sea levels caused by global warming are projected to increase the frequency and severity of damaging storm surges and flooding. Under the higher-emissions scenario what is now considered a once-in-a-century coastal flood in New York City is projected to occur at least twice as often by mid-century, and 10 times as often—once per decade on average—by late-century. With lower emissions, today’s 100-year flood is projected to occur once every 22 years on average by late-century.

The report also details the impact of higher emissions on human health, fisheries, agriculture, forests, and more.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Miscellaneous on July 11, 2007 4:07 PM

Comments [rss]

spiritross

Whats the big deal

It looks like the original shorelines to me

Nature just wants it back.

Makes sense

aprilnyc

Looks like the landfill areas will wash away.

sensibile

Thats not NYC -- thats Lower Manhattan.

gopher

Drown the hipsters.

Anon100

According to #11, we have had three floods near to or in excess of the 100-yr flood surge of 9.7ft. 1991, 1992 and 2007. No residents died as a result of these. It appears that no permanent, or even significant temporary, damage resulted. So what's all the fuss about?

guest

Not to downplay the severity or an event like this but the maps clearly show the bridges and the FDR inundated by water, which is unlikely unless the water raises to over 135 feet in the case of the Williamsburg Bridge. In which case we would certainly all be (even more) screwed.

Landor

I've hung a dinghy outside my apartment window. Raft-up party at my place!

guest

I was alarmed until I saw the Long Island City PATH station, and realized this was an alternate reality a la Stephen King's Dark Tower series.

Someone has to warn that other version of the multiverse!

Kojak

I'm surprised Gothamist didn't edit the picture to include the location of the Shake Shack, but it looks like it survives the flood.

Alex

Thanks, that was exactly the information I was looking for. I didn't realize this year's Noreaster was that intense.

guest

re: #10

"The Perfect Storm" of October 1991 (9ft) and the noreaster of December 1992 (10ft) (which also brought hurricane force winds to the city) were both recent "Major floods". In 1992, thousands of residents were evacuated and flooding reached the extent shown in the 1-in-100yr (9.7ft rise) maps above. The noreaster this April caused moderate flooding of nearly 8ft (including tides) and tropical storm force winds.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=651&tstamp=200704

Alex

The naming of it a "100 year flood" would imply that these floods have occurred in the city every hundred years or so previously. Now with the changes in CO2, these 100 year floods will happen more frequently. So, I ask again when was the last serious flood that seemingly strikes every hundred years occurred?

guest

I think it would be better stated to say *if* CO2 levels continue on their path then *MAYBE* the "100 year flood" will become a 10 year flood. This is just a model produced by an interest group after all.

guest

dont spread this story around, or rents will go up even more in washington heights!

guest

Well to addess the climate change we really just need to control the sun.... the source of climate change-which is a cyclic inevitability-so build the walls!

guest

"Also, when's the last time one of these once-a-century floods struck the city?"

reading comprehension lacking.

*if* the CO2 content of the atmosphere continues on its upward path (and given industrial growth and spineless politicians this is almost a sure thing), the "100 year flood" will become the "10 year flood" THEN you'll see several in your lifetime.

guest

I knew that living on 20th floor will pay off someday...

Kevin Bracken

We'd better start building some walls.

Alex

Haha @ the LIC Path station

Also, when's the last time one of these once-a-century floods struck the city?

guest

What a fool. There isn't any Long Island City PATH train station.

guest

You guys should just stop producing "original" news stories and rebroadcast City Room posts. It's the same content, just posted earlier and with better spelling and grammar.