Adapting To New Realities In Red Hook And Gowanus As We Move Forward Post-Hurricane Sandy

Gowanus Canal overflowing its banks during Hurricane

 FEMA Hurricane Flood map of the Gowanus Canal area

"In the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found that New York City's low-lying, heavily populated neighborhoods are more exposed to the threat of coastal flooding in a hurricane than most people realized
Large areas of southern Queens, southern Brooklyn, the lower east and west sides of Manhattan, and the perimeter of Staten Island could all suffer damage from a hurricane's storm surge. In addition, storm surge from a strong hurricane would not be limited to waterfront properties and could conceivably push miles inland in some areas. New York City's unique geography — located at a "bend" in the coastline between New Jersey and Long Island — makes it especially vulnerable.

Even a low-level hurricane that makes landfall near New York City could wash ocean waters over large sections of some coastal neighborhoods.
Storm surge can make landfall five hours before the hurricane itself. It can also take place after a hurricane has moved away from the city, as high seas slump back into confined spaces like Long Island Sound."

From  New York City's Government Website

The flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy had a devastating effects on New York City. Here in South Brooklyn, it will take many months, if not years for low-lying neighborhoods like Gowanus and Red Hook to recover. However, as we move forward, let us hope that our City's officials have understood that these waterfront communities are fragile and that we need to consider the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise when planning the future of these areas. 

So far, Mayor Bloomberg,  New York City Planning under Amanda Burden, as well as members of our own Community Board 6 have ignored the warnings, especially in Gowanus. Instead, they have approved new developments, which will bring more residents to the shores of this EPA Superfund site and into a flood zone.  More people to evacuate and shelter in a storm.

It is up to us to hold them accountable and to get involved. And most importantly, we all need to get informed.
Below is a message from - Roland Lewis of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, a non-for-profit group that has been working hard for over a decade to influence the development and use of our waterfront and shoreline. Please take some time to read it.
There are voices of reason out there.  

Pumping Out and Picking Up in a Changed World

Two hurricanes in two years. What we build and where we build at our shoreline are no longer academic questions. 

We need to adapt our shorefront plans -- and this could mean hard choices about where people live and how to protect the infrastructure that serves our metropolis. There will be calls for floodgates and other great barriers to defend our region, but we should also seriously think about a shoreline design that allows water to flow out as easily as it flows in, without damage to streets and buildings. We must work out a new relationship with the water, not fight it; think Venice, where the water is embraced and famously made part of the city, not New Orleans, hiding behind larger and bigger levees. Working with Mother Nature in this way could be more cost effective and less environmentally damaging, less likely to cut off the city from the rebirth of its waterfront. 

Most of all we need political leaders to make the response to sea level rise their highest priority. Mayor Bloomberg's nationally recognized Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability has a questionable future at the conclusion of the Mayor's last term. We must keep this office functioning at the highest levels and complement it with well-staffed regional, state and national level equivalents, all of them -- us! -- working in concert to develop coordinated plans for a safe, clean, thriving, wisely rebuilt waterfront. 

Roland Lewis, President and CEO, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance

Incidentally, the MWA will be holding its 2012 General Assembly on November 14, 2012. They will be seeking input and advice on how to "substantively continue to make our harbor a great place for recreation, transportation, commerce, education, and restoration"

Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance 2012 General Assembly

November 14, 2012

South Street Seaport Museum

12 Fulton Street

New York NY

Reception and networking - 6:00-6:30pm

Meeting- 6:30-8:30pm

www.waterfrontalliance.org

RSVP here.

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Shame! NYC Office Of Emergency Management Still Sends Carroll Gardeners Into Harms Way During Hurricane Evacuation

Back in August 2011, before Hurricane Irene hit New York City, I pointed out that the Coastal
Evacuation Route out of Carroll Gardens led local residents along Third Street, over the Third Street Bridge and across the Gowanus Canal.

In other words, Carroll Gardeners and Gowanus residents who were under mandatory evacuation orders and needed to head towards John Jay High School on 7th Avenue, the closest shelter, had to drive through a low-lying Zone A area that floods every time there is a heavy rain.

Predictably, during Irene, the Evacuation Route flooded.

After reading my post, our elected officials took note and alerted NYC's Office Of Emergency Management (OEM) of this problem. State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Councilman Brad Lander, in a letter to OEM, wrote:

"As indicated by the signs posted in the area, the "Coastal Evacuation Route" (CER) is via the Zone A area of Third Street, over the Gowanus Canal. This is problematic because the low-lying streets surrounding the Gowanus Canal are prone to flooding, even during moderate rain storms.
Our top priority is getting people out of harm’s way as safely and efficiently as possible. To that end, we are writing to request that your office reevaluate the evacuation route for this area and provide information as to possible alternative routes.We look forward to hearing from you and please let us know if we can be helpful in resolving this matter of concern to our constituents."

Unfortunately, nothing was ever done to remedy the situation. So, when Hurricane Sandy hit New York City last week, local residents were still expected to drive through a flood zone and over the Gowanus Canal, an EPA Superfund site.

Just take a look at the flooding at Third Street at the intersection of Bond Street  during this last storm.

 (photo credit: Triade Samaras)

Carroll Gardens/ Gowanus Coastal Evacuation Route under water

View of Third Street at Bond Street during Hurricane Sandy 

As far as finding alternate routes, that may be a difficult task. Most of the local roads leading out of the neighborhood are congested on a regular day. In the case of a stronger hurricane with evacuation of Flood Zones A and B, traffic would probably come to a stand still. Add to this the fact that traffic will increase along that stretch of Third Street once the Gowanus Whole Foods will open next year, it may become impossible to get to higher ground.

And let's not even talk about the extra residents who will be moving into the 700-unit Lightstone Group development on Bond Street if it gets built. All these future residents will also try to evacuate via that route the next time we get hit with a big storm.

What a big mess!  It illustrates that the City really doesn't understand flood zones like the Gowanus area, doesn't take the consequences of building more housing in those zones into account and really doesn't care about keeping residents safe once there is flooding.

Shame!  



Related links:
Hurricane Irene Likely To Cause Big Problems For Gowanus
It Doesn't Take a Hurricane To Cause Flooding In Gowanus Area
Local Politicians Urge NYC Office Of Emergency Management To Reconsider Evacuation Route Out Of Carroll Gardens

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Gowanus Flooding And Park Slope Tree Damage

Third Street at the bridge over the Gowanus this morning was flooded. Incidentally, that is Carroll Gardens' Hurricane evacuation route. Good thing Irene was 'just' a tropical storm.

A bit further afield, a giant tree fell over at Montgomery Place in Park Slope

Feel sorry for the car owner

More photos, these from Reader Rick who took them this morning. Thanks for allowing me to post them here on PMFA, Rick.

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Hey, Mayor Bloomberg! Remind Us Again Why We Should Allow New Buildings In A Flood Zone

(photo above courtesy of Hudson Companies' Inc.)

Simp pump under the front entrance of Third and Bond

A smaller hose coming out of the front door of the building

After Hurricane (Tropical Storm) Irene, some serious basement pumping is going on over at Third And Bond, Hudson Companies' Inc new condo building. It was built right in a flood zone, one block away from the Gowanus Canal.

One has to feel bad for those new owners. This will be an ongoing problem for them. Hudson Companies probably don't advertise that little fact in their shiny brochure.

After Irene, one can only hope that Mayor Bloomberg has a better understanding of why it's folly to build more housing in flood zones.

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Update On Gowanus Canal: After High Tide, Water Receding

Just took another walk down to the Gowanus Canal and found quite a few people on the Carroll Street Bridge on this Sunday after the storm.

The water level had gone down since the high tide mark at 8 AM. The owner of The Yard at Carroll on the Canal is checking out the situation. Earlier, his property had been flooded.

Some traces of the flooding are still visible between the trees on the property

The residents of the Satori, the condo building on Bond between Carroll and President obviously took precautions, piling sandbags against the building's front door.

Hope this was enough to prevent flooding in the building.

And last, but not least, as predicted, raw sewage is flooding

into the Gowanus Canal from the sewer overflow pipes.

Pretty disgusting, right?

I wonder how much was dumped into the canal during Irene.

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That's What We Think Of Irene Here In Brooklyn....

Mr. V of Carroll Gardens with fallen "tree limb" and today's Daily News after Hurricane Irene left town.

I guess we showed her....

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More Gowanus Flooding Pictures

End of Bond St looking south towards 2nd Ave.

Sackett St., looking west, combination of puddling & flooding.

More photos of Gowanus flooding from this morning. They were taken by Brian Berger, a writer for HiLoBrow.com and whowalkinbrooklyn.com.

Thanks for sending them my way, Brian

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More Pictures Of Gowanus After Hurricane Irene

These photos come courtesy of reader Andy who took them from the Union Street Bridge this morning at 9 AM. He writes: "Water is between 3 and 6 feet over its normal level. High tide was over 2 hours ago so we'll hope this is as high as it gets."

Thanks, Andy. And please, anyone who has pictures, send them my way.

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9th Street And Smith Street Flooded. Gowanus Canal Water Level 3" Below 9th Street Bridge

These pictures of 9th Street and Smith Street were taken a few moments ago by friend Steven. He reports that the waters of the Gowanus are only 3 " below the 9th Street Bridge. Yikes!

If you witness any flooding in the neighborhood, please take photos and send them my way.I have received lots of emails from local residents who either had to evacuate or who are out of town and will be thankful for any info.

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Good Morning, Irene! Winds And Rain Over Carroll Gardens

Yesterday, shortly before the rain started,

and now...

Thanks to Reader Mary for taking this video of Carroll Gardens on this Sunday morning during the rain and wind of Hurricane Irene.

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Picture Of The Day: Hurricane Preparedness

Apparently, taping up widows serves no purpose in a hurricane. Especially if one uses painter's tape. Just saying...

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Batten Down The Hatches, Carroll Gardens

Hours before Hurricane Irene is supposed to hit New York City, the first drops of rain have begun to fall. Here in Carroll Gardens, everyone is battening down the hatches.

Some more literally than others, I may say.

Many are hurrying to get some last minute supplies.

Quite a few stores in the neighborhood have announced that they will be closed today and Sunday. Obviously, without mass transit service, it does not make much sense to keep their doors open.

...which leaves a window of opportunity for those sidewalk entrepreneurs like this man who was selling flashlights and batteries and other hurricane supplies on Smith Street

He obviously found customers.

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The Calm Before Irene

According to every city official, meterologist and news anchor, New York City is in for a wild ride on Saturday night into Sunday afternoon, as Hurricane Irene passes over us.

Here are a few questions for you, dear Readers, as we are waiting the arrival of this monster storm.

*Are you taking the hurricane warnings seriously or are you just going to wing it?

*Did you stock up on bottled water, batteries, granola bars and peanut butter or any other useful stuff?

*Are you in an A Zone and have to evacuate?

*Are you planning on staying with friends or heading to a shelter?

*How are you going to manage without the subway?

*If you stay put, what are you doing to prepare for the worst?

*Have you ever experienced a hurricane?

Though I am taking all the warnings with a grain of salt, I did go to the store to buy some non-perishable food, some bleach in case there is a disruption of our water lines and have three flash lights at the ready and gotten some cash in case there is a power outage and the ATMs don't work.

Over on Pardon Me For Asking's Facebook page, some readers had other useful information.

Reader Nick is going to plug up his cellar drain pipe in case there is a back flow of water. Reader Cynthia bought a drain stopper to fill her bathtub in case flushing becomes an issue.

Do you have any useful tips for the rest of us?

Let us hear them.

And if the power doesn't go out, let me know what you are up to during the storm and send me pictures from your part of the neighborhood before and after the storm. (Whatever you do, don't go out in it, of course.)

Would love to hear from you.

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Hurricane Irene Likely To Cause Big Problems For Gowanus

NYC Government on Storm Surges:

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found that New York City's low-lying, heavily populated neighborhoods are more exposed to the threat of coastal flooding in a hurricane than most people realized.

Large areas of southern Queens, southern Brooklyn, the lower east and west sides of Manhattan, and the perimeter of Staten Island could all suffer damage from a hurricane's storm surge. In addition, storm surge from a strong hurricane would not be limited to waterfront properties and could conceivably push miles inland in some areas. New York City's unique geography — located at a "bend" in the coastline between New Jersey and Long Island — makes it especially vulnerable.

Even a low-level hurricane that makes landfall near New York City could wash ocean waters over large sections of some coastal neighborhoods.

Storm surge can make landfall five hours before the hurricane itself.

It can also take place after a hurricane has moved away from the city, as high seas slump back into confined spaces like Long Island Sound.”

The problem with 100-year storms is that no-one thinks that one may actually happen in one's lifetime. However, Hurricane Irene, which is predicted to pass over the Metropolitan area on Sunday, may just be one of these rare occurrences.

Hurricanes are a rare occurrence in New York City, so it is understandable that most New York City residents have no idea how vulnerable our coastal city is to the storm surge flooding which follows these massive storms. It has been predicted that Irene may dump upwards of 6 to 10 inches of rain in our area. How will that affect our immediate neighborhood, and in particular the Gowanus Canal area, which is prone to flooding in the best of times?

A quick look at the map created by the Office of EmergencyManagement (NYCO) which indicates flood zones and detailed steps to take in case a hurricane, indicates that the Gowanus area will be severely affected by Hurricane Irene. There are two very huge problems with this.

First, combined sewer overflow (CSO) is dumped into the Gowanus Canal every time New York City's sewer system is overloaded after a flash flood. Imagine how much raw sewage will flow into the Gowanus during the heavy rains which will accompany hurricane Irene?

To get an idea, one only has to take a look at the now-famous You Tube video taken after a particularly severe storm last summer. Now image what this week-end could be like for local residents?

Raw sewage floating on the Gowanus after thunderstorm in 2009

The second problem facing the Gowanus area in case Irene hits this area is that the waters of the Gowanus Canal are heavily polluted with rather dangerous contaminants, as anyone knows by now. The thick sludge at the bottom of the canal is so toxic in fact, that the US EPA has listed the canal on its list of Superfund sites last year and is currently working on clean-up solutions.

Hurricane force winds could churn the waters of the Gowanus Canal so much that this toxic sediment could possibly make its way out of its banks and deposit it on shore mixed with the storm water. That's a scary possibility and would certainly pose lots of health problems for local residents.

Sections of sediment core samples taken from the bottom of the Gowanus Canal. Note the black coal tar in the top two sections.

Which makes you wonder why the City would like local residents to head towards the canal in case of emergency. According to a sign on Third Street right off Smith Street, the Coastal Evacuation Route for this area is in Park Slope, which means that if one has to evacuate on Sunday, one has to cross the Gowanus Canal and right into a flood zone. (Just look at the picture below and look at how Third Street slopes down towards the canal.)

That doesn't make a whole lot of sense now, does it?

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