As the Big Apple (one of my home towns) grapples with yet another devastating storm, it's become abundantly clear that the city's preparations for extreme weather events are falling short.

A warmer atmosphere, laden with moisture, has wreaked havoc on New York's aging infrastructure, leaving streets transformed into torrents and subways submerged.

The recent deluge, just two years after the remnants of Hurricane Ida took a deadly toll, has underscored the urgent need for climate resilience.

In the wake of this latest crisis, the question looms large: Is New York City prepared for the next deluge?

It seems clear that the city is exposed.

The recent storm that dumped over 7 inches of rain in less than 24 hours laid bare the vulnerability of New York City's aging infrastructure to the intensifying impacts of climate change.

The rapid urbanization and outdated infrastructure have left the city ill-equipped to handle modern storms.

As a result, streets were transformed into fast-moving rivers, subway travel ground to a halt, and underground transit stations became submerged.

Climate change is making extreme weather events like these more frequent and severe.

The warming atmosphere can hold and deliver more moisture, leading to heavy rainfall rates of up to 2.5 inches per hour in some areas.

Flash flooding became a common sight, with roads closed, cars submerged, and city buses trapped.

More than a decade after Hurricane Sandy shook New York City, officials find themselves still grappling with the challenges of climate resilience.

The lessons learned from Sandy prompted discussions about bolstering the city's defenses, yet it appears that progress has been slow.

There has been an urgent and intensified call to action.

Joseph Kane, an infrastructure expert at the Brookings Institute, warns that it's high time for New York City and its leaders to face the harsh reality.

The climate is becoming more extreme and unpredictable, demanding significant investment.
Waiting until disaster strikes is often too little, too late and never a good tactic.

Unfortunately, personally I’m seeing this same approach play out in some of the more vulnerable parts of the world.

The recent storm serves as a poignant reminder that climate change isn't just a looming threat; it's here, and it's wreaking havoc on our cities.

New York City's resilience is being put to the test, and the question remains: Are we ready for the next deluge?

As the city navigates its way through these turbulent times, the need for proactive climate action has never been more evident.

“I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is.” Greta Thunberg

“If All the Greedy People that Pollute can get Together & Show Strength in Unity – then Honest, Environmentalists Must Do the Same. You See – It’s as Simple As That.” George C. Keefe - ENCASEMENT Guy