Superstorm Sandy and the Demographics of Flood Risk in New York City

ABSTRACTTo contribute to the ongoing discourse about successful programming supporting intermediate behavioral and mental health needs of vulnerable communities affected by disaster, this article presents the Children’s Health Fund (CHF) Sandy Recovery and Resiliency Program as a descriptive case study for a multifaceted, community-based approach to building resiliency, coping, and socioemotional skills in an underserved community in New York City that was affected by Superstorm Sandy. The case study involves retrospective review and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data that were collected as part of routine care and program implementation. From the analysis emerged a program consisting of 3 components: (1) delivery of workshops and community events to decrease stigma and build community-wide resilience, (2) delivery of workshops for students and educators in the local school to increase coping skills as well as referrals to clinical mental health care, and (3) provision of mental health care via a mobile mental health clinic. As a result, we found that following periods of excessive trauma, children and families require a broad-based approach to mental health support. Additionally, the use of the mobile clinic abated most common access barriers and served as a proxy of the concern of the organization for the community. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;page 1 of 5)

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Hurricanes, flood risk and the economic adaptation of businesses

Journal of Economic Geography ◽

10.1093/jeg/lbaa020 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Agustín Indaco ◽

Francesc Ortega ◽

and Süleyman Taṣpınar

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

New York City ◽

Administrative Data ◽

York City ◽

Flood Risk ◽

Employment Growth ◽

Hurricane Sandy ◽

Economic Adaptation ◽

The City

Abstract We use administrative data containing all business establishments in New York City to analyze how businesses reacted to flooding in the context of Hurricane Sandy (October 2012). We find that flooding led to reductions in employment (of about 4%) and average wages (of about 2%) among the affected businesses. The effects were substantially larger and more persistent in some parts of the city (Brooklyn and Queens) than others (Manhattan). Heterogeneity across boroughs reflects differences in the severity of flooding, building types and industry composition. The effects of flooding also vary by industry and businesses in sectors involved in rebuilding after the storm experienced employment growth. Flooding also led to establishment closings and relocation to other neighborhoods, which is a form of adaptation to increased flood risk.

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Household Disaster Preparedness in New York City before Superstorm Sandy: Findings and Recommendations

Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management ◽

10.1515/jhsem-2017-0002 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V. Nuno Martins ◽

Hans M. Louis-Charles ◽

Joanne Nigg ◽

James Kendra ◽

Sarah Sisco

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

New York City ◽

Low Income ◽

York City ◽

Disaster Preparedness ◽

Path Model ◽

Superstorm Sandy ◽

Department Of Health ◽

Household Preparedness ◽

Disaster Event

Abstract This study focuses on household disaster preparedness in New York City (NYC) prior to Superstorm Sandy occurrence on October 25, 2012. The purpose of our analysis is to explain the level and patterns of disaster preparedness before a relatively rare natural disaster event occurred and to investigate the factors that influenced the capacity of NYC households to prepare for emergencies and disasters. A random telephone (RDD) survey comprised of 2001 NYC residents across all five boroughs was conducted by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and completed before Sandy struck the City. These data were explored using frequencies, cross-tabs, and factor analysis to build a path model of household disaster preparedness. Findings indicate that household disaster preparedness levels in NYC are high, especially regarding the acquisition of emergency supplies and communication resources. A trust in local government and assistance from one’s social network are the strongest predictors of general household preparedness. Exogenous variables in our model – low income households and those with functional and access needs residents – will be more vulnerable during an actual disaster since they are less able to access communication technologies to search for self-protective disaster information and to communicate their needs during an emergency.

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