Wednesday, September 23, 2009

How Will Climate Change Affect The Gowanus And Red Hook Districts?

oo




*****REMINDER*****
THIS FRIDAY


Back in June, I wrote a post on the alarming realities of what would happen if a Category 3 hurricane were to hit the metropolitan area. According to scientists, the storm surge would leave huge parts of the city under water.
If you add to that the reality of rising sea levels, we are talking disaster, especially in the Gowanus and red Hook districts.
Now, the community has the opportunity to hear directly from the expert:

Malcolm Bowman, Ph.D., Professor of Physical Oceanography and a
Distinguished Service Professor at the Marine Sciences Research Center (MSRC) State University of NY at Stony Brook.


Please make time to attend this important event organized by Friends & Residents Of Greater Gowanus, with support from Community Board 6 and numerous other local community groups.




Storm Surges In Our Brooklyn Community


What does the current
science indicate? How might
climate change effect our area? What does this mean
for our Gowanus and
Red Hook districts?

Please attend an important community meeting

Friday night, September 25, 6:00 PM

at Long Island College Hospital,
Atlantic Avenue and Hicks St., Conference Rm A/B
for a presentation by:
Malcolm Bowman, Ph.D., Professor of Physical Oceanography and a
Distinguished Service Professor at the Marine Sciences Research Center (MSRC) State University of NY at Stony Brook.

Malcolm Bowman is the coordinator of the Stony Brook Storm Surge Group, where his current research studies include prediction and modeling of storm surges that threaten the New York Metropolitan area. This group is exploring ways the City can protect itself from flooding from extreme weather events in an era climate changes and sea level rise.
Dr. Bowman has made presentations on his research all over the world and in the United States. Just a brief listing of his presentations include the New York Academy of Sciences. Columbia University, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, Engineers at Pratt, and many many more.

NYC 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.”

http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/hazards/storms_stormsurge.shtml

This event is organized for the benefit of our community by New York Sierra Club and FROGG -Friends & Residents Of Greater Gowanus, with support from Community Board 6 and numerous other local community groups. For additional information call Diane Buxbaum, Conservation CoChair, NYC Group Sierra Club. 718-855-2399




Related Reading:

What Would Happen To The Polluted Gowanus Canal In Case Of A Hurricane?

Water, Water, Everywhere: Hurricanes And The Brooklyn Battery Tunnel




For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Save the Date!
Will there be a wine gathering afterward to discuss the topic?