Superstorm Sandy Forum:
A Serious Conversation about the Future of Staten Island
Caitlyn Nichols, PhD; NEIWPCC Interstate Environmental Commission District and
Center for Environmental Science
Michael Kress, PhD; College of Staten Island
Dealing with the devastation from Sandy's storm surge, which has resulted in billions of dollars in property losses, flood-related damages, and 43 fatalities (23 on Staten Island), has presented countless challenges to Staten Islanders. The objective of this Resource Kit is to provide background information to Staten Islanders, which they may not typically come across in their everyday life's experience or profession. Thereby, the goal of this effort was to compile an inventory of informative resources we believe to be helpful for analyzing future storm surge risk, and developing plans for mitigating future damage and loss of life. See more >>
This includes materials that draw on many inter-related areas of expertise, including sustainable land use planning, community prosperity, social growth and economic development. The ultimate goal was to initiate the aquistion of such materials and informative links to make them readily available and centrally accessible for public use. Thereby, the information collected here within is limited, beginning with published reports and websites from City, State and Federal agencies, institutes, organizations and news articles, in order for us to begin the conversation.
We encourage Forum participants to read into areas of their interest before March 8th, to enable them to engage in a serious, well-informed conversation regarding recovery from Superstorm Sandy, and the future of Staten Island.
Much of the materials collected here are readily available on the Internet. We bring links to the source materials together here to facilitate locating the information. The Resource Kit is organized based on the Forum program to assist the Forum participants in preparing for the Forum. The following outlines the organization:
- Geology and the History of Storm Surge on Staten Island;
- Sustainable Land Use in Flood Prone Areas of Staten Island;
- The Human Impact of Natural Disasters - A Social Science View;
- Financial Impact and the Role of Government in Sandy Recovery;
- Five Points to Protect Staten Island from Future Storm Surges.
The Resource Kit is a work in progress, we will revise it as key resources are identified; and indeed, many of the source documents are changing daily, as updated information becomes available. Any suggestions regarding applicable information to incorporate can be sent via email to: caitlyn.nichols@csi.cuny.edu. Our fundamental objective is to provide accurate and useful information; we do not make any claims to the authenticity, accuracy or value of the information on the websites referenced.
Many thanks to Joyce Taylor and her team from the Office of Information Technology for developing the Resource Kit web distribution system.
Downloadable Resource Kit in PDF Format
Superstorm Sandy Introduction & President Fritz' Five Points to Protect Staten Island from Future Storm Surges
CSI and Sandy
Five Points to Protect Staten Island from Future Storm Surges
Staten Island Damage Assessment
Staten Island Recovery
- Timeline
Timeline of regional transportation recovery in aftermath of Sandy; CSI's Afrona Kaziu
Geology and History of Storm Surges
Coastal Storm Surge
Storm Surges and Hazards
Sustainable Land Use in Flood Prone Areas
Sustainable Design & Protecting New York as an Ecosystem
- Montalto Post-Sandy GI Testimony
Testimony provided on January 16, 2013 by Dr. Franco Montalto, PE to the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation at a Public Hearing on the Environmental Causes and Effects of Extreme Weather Events, "Protecting New York as an Ecosystem"
Sustainable Communities
- Sustainable Communities
The Partnership for Sustainable Communities, a collaboration of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency, organized in June 2009. To date, the Partnership has invested nearly $4 billion in over 700 communities for projects that integrate affordable housing, transportation, clean water and environmental protection. Green infrastructure is emerging in some cases as the centerpiece of redevelopment strategies.
Grey to Green Infrastructure
Coastal Flood Hazards
Storm Surges and Barriers
Rebuilding Staten Island
- Housing Designs
Rebuilding Staten Island: Alternative Housing Designs poster by CSI's Afrona Kaziu
The Human Impact of Natural Disasters
Disaster Survivor Assistance
Financial Impact and the Role of Government in Sandy Recovery
Role of Government in Sandy Recovery and Planning for Resiliency
FEMA Process Declaration of Disaster
Senate Bipartisan Task force on Hurricane Sandy Recovery
Federal Sandy Budget
- Federal Mitigation Budget
Transmittal letter from the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Budget and Management to Congress regarding additional Federal resources necessary
to fund response, recovery, and mitigation efforts. Contains materials requesting
the funds necessary to finance a needed recovery effort and to help the region prepare for future
challenges, including future severe storms and coastal flooding, as well as impacts associated
with a changing climate.
In total, the Administration requests $60.4 billion in Federal resources for response,
recovery and mitigation related to Hurricane Sandy damage in all affected States, This includes
efforts to repair damage to homes and public infrastructure and to help affected communities
prepare for future storms. Attached is a detailed appendix outlining the specific needs, funding
accounts, provisions, and principles that comprise the Administration's request for assistance.
- Federal Supplemental Funding Mitigation
In addition to the funds necessary for recovery and repair of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy,
the Administration estimates an additional $12,970 million is necessary for mitigation projects to reduce the risk of damage from future disasters. This resource provides a table that breaks down federal mitigation funds for projects by respective agency, which is followed by account-level details in the full document.
Governor's Funding Task Force & Recovery Plan
- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Website
Goals of Sandy Funding Taskforce: identify the areas most in need of recovery assistance; review and improve rebuilding and storm planning policies
Governor Cuomo's State of the State Address: NY Rising
Rebuild NY
- New York Rising: Rebuild NY
Series of proposals outlined by Governor Cuomo for the State of New York to fortify and upgrade the systems that can paralyze us when they fail during an emergency.
Additional Resources
NY Rising
Safety & Cleanup
- EPA Hurricane Sandy Response and Recovery
The US Environmental Protection Agency is checking areas affected by Hurricane Sandy for potential contamination, and offers safety and cleanup information for parents, homeowners, communities and local governments, and builders
Disaster Preparedness
- NOAA All Hazard Monitor
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Ready.gov
FEMA Ready Campaign: includes general tips on how to prepare for any emergency, instructions on how to develop a hurricane disaster plan and secure your home before a storm
- Ready New York
New York City Office of Emergency Management Ready New York Campaign: Hurricanes and New York City includes general tips on how to prepare for any emergency, instructions on how to develop a hurricane disaster plan and secure your home before a storm, and a map of New York City hurricane evacuation zones.
FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
Floodplain Management
Tri-State Resources: Regional Environmental Impacts & Post-Sandy Recovery
- Interstate Environmental Commission
Informational links for stakeholders regarding Sandy recovery at WWTPs, water quality issues, advisories, and monitoring efforts, which collectively took place in the tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT) following Sandy.
New Jersey Resources
New York Resources
Other Coastal Resources
