http://prezi.com/m1es3imypr1m/rocking-the-rockaways-this-one/?kw=view-m1es3imypr1m&rc=ref-25012809
Elliot’s Script:
1) In terms of hard engineering, the common idea that everyone has thrown around is that we have to raise our houses. However, you have seen that this process is quite costly and there are physical constraints. For example, we cannot raise preexisting structures like this. Instead, we have to develop resilient tactics that do not call for raising a house, but at the same time protect the houses in low lying areas. One of these resilient tactics is installing a storm surge barrier.
2) As you may know, the fire in Breezy Point that destroyed about two hundred homes was the result of water seeping into the electrical systems. Our electrical system or electrical grid needs to become resilient in order to combat this side effect of super storms and other natural disasters. We can do this by implementing the smart grid.
What makes the smart grid so “smart” is that it uses information technology for real time communications. This is indicated by the dotted lines in the picture. Notice that everything is interconnected. So what does this mean and why is this useful? This means that the electric companies would instantaneously know if there is a problem with the grid. Currently, electric companies do not know when power has gone out until someone reports the problem. This is useful because the electric companies can shut off power to troubled sections of the grid to prevent further damage. Hence, the smart grid could have saved the two hundred homes in Breezy Point.
Aamir’s Script:
Storm Surge Barrier
The idea to build storm surge barrier or levees has been thrown around in order to protect New York City from flooding during the next major storm.
Whats a storm surge barrier?A huge wall outside of major parts of the city that would close if a storm brought along a tide that would flood the city. Where the walls would go would be up to the government deciding which areas are most important to protect.
What are levees?Embankments that can be artificially placed on the shore line to prevent water from reaching a certain level. These can work to an extent, but can fail once the water level exceeds the height of the levee.
Is this feasible?Before discussing the cost, it is important to discuss that this stormwall idea doesn’t come from nowhere. Stormwalls in the Netherlands and London have prevented floods for half a century.
Barriers in northern Netherlands- delta works
Storm surge barrier in Netherlands Ooster… opened in 1986. Costed 2.5 billion euros 3.2 billion dollars close to 7 billion now. 3km long. Contains sluice gates that allow water flow. Usually these gates are open but can be closed during a severe storm.
Rotterdam- to protect the shipping channel
-open and closing gate, each half the size of the Eiffel tower
-opened in 1997
– Predicted to be used once every 10 years against storm surge
-Used in 2007 storm
cost 4 billion dollars in 1997
today it would be about 6 billion dollars
London Storm wall
Thames Barrier- protects London during storm surge
Opened in 1983- shut 119 times to prevent floods
tides have been rising
Aruna’s Script:
The difference between resilient and sustainable:
After Hurricane Sandy, is apparent that the threat of global warming is very real and imminent. Scientists predict that sea levels will continue to rise and extreme weather situations will become more frequent. While sustainability is important in slowing down global warming and its detrimental effects, damage has already been done so it is also important to learn how to cope with the effects; this is what resilience is about. While there are techniques to make the rockaways more resilient and sustainable, there is the question of whether or not is practical to employ these techniques or to relocate people.
Hard vs. Soft Engineering:
There are two general approaches to combating the effects of an extreme storm: hard engineering techniques and soft engineering techniques. Hard engineering techniques involve man-made structures, it encompasses sea walls, underwater gates, and flood barriers; they work against natural processes. Soft engineering on the other hand works with natural processes using ecological principles to slow storm surges. Soft engineering ideas include incorporating wetlands, oyster beds, reefs and other natural features.
Absorptive streets and Oyster Beds to control and slow storm surge:
One idea is to make the streets more absorptive and reconstruct them in a way that would better handle flooding. On Level 1 streets, those only mildly affected by a surge, a more absorptive material would be used to soak up excess water. Level 2 streets, which would be more severely effected by a surge would send water into marshes and prepositioned ponds meant to collect runoff. Level 3 streets, those most harshly affected, would be made parallel to the shoreline, in this way the surging water would drain back into the harbor. While this would not help with the initial damage caused by the force of a storm surge, it would quicken the recovery process.
Another idea designed by Kate Orff, an architect and landscape designer, is to create an artificial system of oyster reefs which would decrease the impact of waves reaching the shore.This would help minimize the damage caused by a storm surge because the force of a wave hitting the shore would be diminished.
Karen’s Script:
Effects of Hurricane Sandy:
Hurricane Sandy has left a winding path of destruction in parts of New York City, the Jersey Shore, and other areas of the East Coast when it hit in October 2012. When looking at the Far Rockaways in Queens, this destruction seems like it only happened a few weeks ago. Many houses still look battered beyond repair and many lots where homes once stood, have only their foundations remaining. From rampant flooding to fires, the Far Rockaways has endured through the ordeal and is now partaking in the slow, and often frustrating, rebuilding process. Many people have taken measures to restore their homes’ electrical and heating systems that were destroyed when basements were flooded. In addition to this, some people are even rebuilding their homes to withstand such flooding if another storm were to hit again. Unfortunately, those who lost their homes were forced to live elsewhere until they can move back into the area. As a result, families have been separated from each other until they can restore their homes. Not only have homes been destroyed, but the beaches have also faced similar devastation. Various objects litter the once clean sand and the Far Rockaway boardwalk was reduced to shambles in the face of the hurricane. Now, all that’s left to do is continue this arduous repair process in hopes of building stronger to withstand the next storm.
Financial Effects:
For coastal dwellers, the cost of rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy is an enormous financial burden on its own. Now that the houses are being rebuilt, homeowners will have to deal with another hit to their pockets: spiking flood insurance rates and higher building standards. Homes being rebuilt within the flood hazard zones have to include expensive additions that are now required by law. In addition to this, flood insurance costs are soaring in order for the insurance companies to buffer their profits the next time there is a huge storm. With all of these expenses piling up, it seems as though coastal living will become something only the wealthy can afford. Overall, these changes can result in the gentrification of places like the Far Rockaways.
Flood Prevention:
Natural ways of buffering the mainland from the harsh effects of flooding would be to build salt marshes and mossy wetlands along the coastal areas that were affected by the storm. Salt marshes are transitional areas between land and water that are home to many species of plants and animals. These areas work to lower the effects of flooding by absorbing the storm surges along the water line thus reducing the erosion that occurs during flooding. Mossy wetlands act very much like a sponge that traps and releases water. In addition to this, roots and trees found in such wetlands provide a barrier that slows down floodwater so that it is distributed slowly across the area.
Sources:
http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/flood.cfm
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/dynamic.html
