A man walks through flooded streets in Hoboken, New Jersey, after Superstorm Sandy | Emile Wamsteker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

As subsidized rates of federal flood insurance rise, property owners along the coasts get angry. But we need insurance that reflects the risks of a changing planet

time.com - by Bryan Walsh - October 1, 2013

Thousands of homeowners in flood-prone parts of the country are going to be in for a rude awakening.  On Oct. 1, new changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which offers government-subsidized policies for households and businesses threatened by floods, mean that businesses in flood zones and homes that have been severely or repeatedly flooded will start going up 25% a year until rates reach levels that would reflect the actual risk from flooding. (Higher rates for second or vacation homes went into effect at the start of 2013.) That means that property owners in flood-prone areas who might have once been paying around $500 a year—rates that were well below what the market would charge, given the threat from flooding—will go up by thousands of dollars over the next decade.

Photo: Cameron Blaylock

rebuildbydesign.org

Rebuild by Design is hosting two public receptions in New York and New Jersey to hear Rebuild by Design's ten Design Teams discuss their research and the ideas born out of their work.

This is a critical moment for the Rebuild by Design project and a perfect occasion to learn more about the teams' thoughtful and unique visions to make our region more resilient.

The proposals follow three months of in-depth analysis and public outreach, including both one-on-one conversations with people living in affected areas and robust guided conversations with Design Teams and citizens. This will lead up to a selection of projects each team will pursue in the design phase—the next and final portion of the competition.

Breakfast Reception at NYU - RSVP
8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
60 Washington Square South,New York, NY
Kimmel Center, 4th Floor

http://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2013/42/mm_bb_harvestday_2013_10_18_bk.html

 Light Our Way To Recovery is a candlelight commemorative gathering of the constituents of the Canarsie community, one of the many disaster impacted communities on the Eastern USA coastline. This event is given in remembrance of those persons who lost their lives as a result of Hurricane Sandy; to honor the people who volunteered and who continue to help; to highlight the need for support for Canarsie disaster victims who continue to struggle to rebuild, recover and survive the emotional maelstrom caused by the life changing events of October 29th 2012. 

Press Release - October 15, 2013 

Assemblyman Goldfeder Announces DEC Accepting Applications for Environmental Grant

State Funding Available to Improve Urban Environments & Parks, Especially in Sandy-Damaged Neighborhoods Nearly $500,000 in Grants Will Be Provided to Eligible Applicants, Including Municipalities, Public Benefit Corporations, Public Authorities, School Districts and Not-for-Profit Organizations

As Superstorm Sandy approached, and residents in coastal areas from Maryland to Connecticut were ordered to evacuate, many residents chose to stay put.  There are various reasons for this and analysis of these reasons has led to changes in the way storm warnings are now issued and will be issued in the future.

[Read entire article]

Stefan Leon, 19, whose Canarsie home was flooded by Hurricane Sandy, said of the new flood map, “It’s good for future reference, but it’s too late for what’s already happened."  Michael Nagle for The New York Times

nytimes.com - by Cara Buckley - January 30, 2013

When the federal government introduced new maps this week showing a marked increase in flood-prone areas near New York City’s coast, the general sentiment in Canarsie, Brooklyn — much of which is newly in a flood zone — was, “What took them so long?”

The neighborhood is scant blocks from Jamaica Bay, pancake flat and a stone’s throw from the auspiciously titled Fresh Creek. It’s where, the story goes, local residents once beseeched the city to erect a wall to guard them from a tidal surge. And it’s where, as Hurricane Sandy hit, floodwaters raced through the streets, beat down doors to fill basements and chased inhabitants clutching computers, clothes and rescued pets to upper floors.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)