New York City Council Votes on Flooding Legislation

Intro: Over the past few years extreme flooding has fled into subways, left people stranded in their neighborhoods, and even caused fatalities. New York City Council will be presenting a bill that will amend the administrative code of the city of New York, about flash flood preparedness outreach and evacuation guidance. Our reporter Madeline Reilly has the story on how this affects New York City residents 

Reilly 1: It’s a sunny day here in New York City. But this weekend calls for rain and rain can mean flooding. As a Meatpacking District resident, Jay can tell you. She remembers Superstorm Sandy:  

 Jay: Yes. I, I tell you, I tried to get to see my friends that live on ninth Avenue. And they told me, you better have a canoe. Because I, and I didn't believe it. Yeah. And then when I got to ninth Avenue, I'm like, crap, it was up to my knees.

Reilly 2: Jay says, there are the internet, and weather apps that give out warnings but people don’t always pay attention. Which can be risky.  Andrew Kruczkiewicz (Kritch-cav-itch)  is a researcher at Columbia University’s  Climate School. 

Kruczkiewicz 1: Superstorm stand, Sandy. Many areas of New York City were inundated, right? It wasn't just the Rockaways, it wasn't just parts of Staten Island, it was some of the estuaries in Brooklyn and Queens, even part of the Bronx.  You know? So there was many areas that are, and those areas could be defined as at risk to storm surge flooding in inundation, 

Reilly 3: A recent report from the Regional Plan Association finds that as many as 82,000 housing units in the city, Long Island, and Westchester County could be lost to flooding. Meaning difficult times for homeowners, renters, and Landlords, as well as exacerbating the city's housing crisis. So today, the New York City Council voted on a law to enhance public awareness and responses to flash flooding.

Archive NYC City Council:  we here are here today to vote on intro 8 0 7 a sponsored by council member and majority WIP Brooks Powers Intro 8 0 7 A would require New York City's emergency management, also known as nyem, to develop guidance for safe evacuation before flush flash flood emergencies, including information on when and how to safely evacuate the locations who seek refuge.   

Reilly 4: The law would put more focus on areas of the city that are at high risk for flooding. New York emergency  would distribute materials that would help residents in those areas prepare.  Efforts will include in-person outreach and targeted mailings. Kruczkiewicz (Kritch-cav-itch)  says, some areas t 3e at risk to other types. 

Kruczkiewicz 2:  New York City is prone to flooding. It's always been prone to flooding. What we're seeing recently is an evolution in flood risk across New York City. And what I mean by that is there are different types of floods that are occurring in New York City and the risk for different types of floods is changing over time.

Reilly 5: The Legislation passed earlier today, Madeline Reilly, Columbia Radio News.