Keeping NYC Afloat

Much of New York City, which is home to 8 million people, is only 10 feet above sea level. This poses a grave threat of flooding when you anticipate the 30-foot storm surge accompanying a Category 3 hurricane, a disaster that could flood portions of all five burroughs. Studies are underway to create plans to mitigate the damage of just that type of disaster, as sea levels rise and ocean temperature increases provide the energy for bigger more dangerous storms. Power outages, tunnel and subway flooding, sewage back-up, water supply contamination and vast flooded portions of downtown are all potential consequences of ignoring the threat. In an ironic nod to NYC's Dutch heritage, the city that never sleeps may end up looking a lot more like Holland than it does now.
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