NYC Has Largest Population At Risk For Flooding Among 8 US Cities, Study Finds

NEW YORK CITY — New York City has the largest population at risk for flooding, according to a new study.

The study, done by ScienceAdvances, looked at 16 distinct risk factors including the geographic hazards, the population and infrastructure exposed, for eight U.S. cities.

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Researchers found that the city has around 4.75 million people at the two highest risk levels for all flooding and more than 200,000 buildings likely to be damaged.

"NYC’s flood risk is shaped by multiple interacting factors. Dense urbanization limits the availability of permeable surfaces, which reduces natural water absorption and increases surface runoff during heavy rainfall. Aging and overburdened infrastructure further exacerbates the problem as drainage and sewage systems struggle to cope with extreme precipitation events that are becoming more frequent under climate change," researchers wrote in the study.

Researchers recommended that the city should restrict further urban development in high-risk zones while promoting the nature-based solutions including green and blue infrastructure.

Examples include vegetated infiltration strips and bioswales being implemented along the roadway or sidewalk to further slow surface runoff and reduce peak flows, researchers said.

In addition, blue infrastructure, including natural wetlands, river floodplains, and estuaries, should be restored and strategically connected to urban drainage and sewerage networks.

You can read the full study here.