T&T: New York hurricane

[LRZeitlin@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/3/06 12:38:47 PM, kfredden@verizon.net writes:


> Someone was been pulling your leg with that 'information'. Staten Island
> most
> certainly does not have a mean height of 4' above MSL.
>
>

Kevin,

I lived on Staten Island for years. Except for Todt Hill and Grimes Hill and
the former NYC Fresh Kills landfill, Staten Island is very flat. There is a
central spine of high ground but most of the land was formerly a salt or
intertidal marsh. The topography is low-lying with a subsoil of clay and soils
of
sand and silt. In the 19th century much of the land was originally farmland,
either actively farmed or abandoned. Hylan Blvd., the main road running the
length
of the island, floods every time there is a heavy rain and occasionally
during a Spring tide. In the southern and eastern part of the island it is
difficult to keep a basement dry because the level of the ground water is so
high.
Great Kills and most of the Gateway Park area on the island are just a couple
of
feet above sea level. Admittedly there are a few high areas. Todt Hill is one.
In fact it is one of the highest peaks in the area at 400 ft. above sea
level.

I'm not making this stuff up. The following is a quote from NASAs Goddard
Institute:

"The New York Metropolitan Region is a coastal area. Storms and storm surges
have caused millions of dollars worth of damage and continue to stress the
fragile ecosystems in the region. Nor'easters do the most damage to the
metropolitan area -- striking about 1-2 times per year, with severe storms
causing
major flooding every 40-50 years. Hurricanes strike less frequently, but can
also
be severe. Responses funded at the public level include beach nourishment,
rebuilding seaside towns, and rebuilding groins off local beaches.

In addition to sea level rise, global climate change may bring an increase in
either/both the intensity and frequency of storms along the east coast.
Damages to people and infrastructure could increase -- New York City alone has
600
miles of coastline.

New York's infrastructure is closely connected to the coastal areas --
highways, subways, tunnels, sewage, sanitations facilities, power plants and
factories are all found in, on, or adjacent to waterways. Severe flooding with
increased frequency could flood the FDR Drive, sections of East Harlem, Coney
Island
and entire neighborhoods in Staten Island. Almost the entire subway system in
NYC is underground and is vulnerable to flooding as well."

Regardless of what the Mapquest topo shows, I certainly would not want to be
living near the shore if a hurricane was bearing down on New York.

Larry Z