Natural Hazards of the New York Area
New York is in a prime location for many natural hazards to occur. The risk is so great that New York City has an Office of Emergency Management that helps residents and business owners plan and prepare for the worst. Of all the natural disasters that can happen, officials in New York are most concerned about storms and hurricanes, fires, floods, severe weather, and winter weather.
Storms and Hurricanes
It has been calculated that a Category 4 hurricane would cause a storm surge so great that it would send water 6 miles up Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Coastal storms and hurricanes affect New York often. The densely populated and developed coastline New York is so famous for makes this state especially vulnerable to damage from tropical storms and hurricanes.
Those who live within 10 blocks of a coastal area are advised to have an emergency disaster plan and kit should an evacuation be ordered. It will only take winds of up 70 mph to topple buildings and trees. Heavy rains could cause a storm surge that would inundate parts of the coastline with up to 30 feet of water.
Those who live in high rise apartment buildings in a coastal area should make plans to evacuate in the event of a tropical storm. Those who are outside of a coastal area, on the bottom ten floors of a high rise apartment building, also need to be prepared for the worst.
Fires
The brush in the grasslands of New York is known to catch fire during the hot months of the summer, when the weather is drier.
Residents are encouraged to keep their plants and lawns well hydrated, weeds tamed, and grass mowed. Plants and trees should not be grown near homes, and one is encouraged to plant vegetation that is less likely to catch fire when landscaping. Any wood that is dead should be removed from trees and branches that are within 10 feet from the ground should be trimmed off.
Homes are less like to have problems with wildfires if trash and flammable materials are disposed of properly. Flammable chemicals and unused firewood should be stored in a location away from the home. The roof and gutters should also be kept clear of leaves and other debris that easily dry out.
Floods
Rainfall has increased dramatically in recent years and scientists think this trend will continue.
Heavy, intense rains cause many of the flash floods New York residents have experienced. The heavy rains have also caused sewers to back up in to homes and businesses. Much of the infrastructure of New York cannot handle rain that falls at a rate of more than one inch per hour. This is especially true for the lower lying areas.
Severe Weather
It is said the Empire State Building is hit 23 times a year with lightening.
New York is not a stranger to wild weather like hail, extreme heat, thunderstorms, and strong winds. It is also not unheard of for parts of New York to have tornadoes pass through cities, causing destruction in their paths.
Winter Weather
New York gets dangerously cold in the winter. The winter weather makes roads icy and slippery, causing traffic accidents. Many reports of fires caused by fireplaces and electric heaters come in to the FDNY. Flooding is often reported because of frozen pipes bursting.
Taking the correct measures to be warm in a home can help prevent unnecessary fires. Taking the proper steps to make sure pipes are well prepared for the freezing weather can take away the headache of having to deal with flood damage to one’s home or business.
Disasters that are officially declared by U.S. government have been caused by weather 90% of the time every year. Residents of New York can prepare for disastrous event by evaluating the risks in their area, creating an emergency disaster plan, and an emergency kit that is ready to go.
~Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2009
WORKS CITED
New York City Office of Emergency Management. (n.d.). “NYC Hazards”. Retrieved October 9, 2009, from New York City Office of Emergency Management: http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/hazards/hazards.shtml
