New York City, like many other cities around the world, is facing the complex reality of climate change and its severe impacts on the urban environment. In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit New York City, flooding 17% of the city’s land, claiming 44 lives, and causing $19 billion in damages and lost economic activity. Storm surge reached a record 14 feet high in New York Harbor, and the hurricane caused power outages across the city that impacted over 2 million New Yorkers, some lasting for weeks or longer. In Lower Manhattan (the “District”), the impact of Hurricane Sandy was extreme, causing two deaths and affecting thousands of homes. This Lower Manhattan Climate Resilience Study builds on past efforts and leadership by the Lower Manhattan communities and the City after Hurricane Sandy, and lays the path forward
for the next phase of climate resilience planning for Lower Manhattan’s future.