Mitigation Actions Title
Cloudburst Resiliency
Mitigation Actions Description
In September 2021, NYC experienced historic levels of rainfall during Post Tropical Cyclone Ida. This unprecedented event caused over $220M in damages and the tragic loss of life of 13 New Yorkers. Again, in September of 2023, NYC experienced widespread flooding during Tropical Storm Ophelia. To address the increasing frequency of these extreme events, NYC has accelerated its stormwater resiliency planning efforts, and is looking to rapidly scale innovative stormwater management strategies to protect New Yorkers and reduce risk. Starting in 2017 the City has been piloting Cloudburst Management – a neighborhood-scale approach to managing large volumes of stormwater through green and grey infrastructure – and is now beginning implementation of the first four Cloudburst Hubs. However, the need for stormwater flood risk reduction extends far beyond four areas. Additional funding is needed to examine the potential for Cloudburst Management in additional at-risk neighborhoods and across the city as a whole.
Description Problem
New York City’s land area consists mainly of impervious surfaces that contribute to extreme flooding after high-intensity rainfall events. Cloudburst Management strategies which absorb, store, and transfer stormwater runoff can help to create additional capacity in the sewer system and are one of the many ways DEP is addressing flooding across the city.
Lead Agency
Department of Environmental Protection
Action Category
Infrastructure Projects
Action Status
In-Progress
Action Status Date
2023-12-15T00:00:00.000
Hazards Addressed
Flooding
Estimated Cost
$7,350,000.00
Federal Funding Source
FEMA-HMGP
City Funding Source
City Expense
Description Of Social Vulnerability Addressed
Project selection criteria included data from CDC Social Vulnerability Index.
Description Of Critical Facility
There are many critical facilities located within the first four Cloudburst Hubs, including the following facility types: administration of government, core infrastructure and transportation, health and human services, public safety, emergency services, and administration of justice. Expansion of the Cloudburst Program will protect additi  onal facilities citywide.
Planning Regulation Capability
Cloudburst Management Program, Cloudburst Resiliency Planning Study, Climate Strong Communities, NYC Green Infrastructure Plan, Climate Resiliency Guidelines, Flood Resiliency Guidelines, DEP Long-term Strategic Planning, Citywide Stormwater Resiliency Study
Administrative Technical Capability
Resiliency Planning Staff
Financial Capability
FEMA Building Resiliency Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
Education Outreach Capability
FloodHelp NY, Flood Hazard Mapper, Informational Briefs
