Heavy rain is coming — but it doesn't have to flood.
This week, we’re preparing for severe flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby. Forecasts are predicting intense rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, with some areas possibly receiving up to 3 inches per hour — more than enough for flash flooding.
Why This Matters
70% of NYC's surface area is impermeable — think asphalt, sidewalks, buildings — meaning most of the city cannot absorb rainwater. As a result, excess water tends to accumulate in low-lying areas such as curb cuts, subway stations, and basement apartments. Even during light rains this can mean restricted mobility and damaged infrastructure, but when there’s a torrential downpour, the situation can quickly turn dangerous.
Our stormwater infrastructure is already out of date and overburdened — and many neighborhoods experience periodic flooding. With projections indicating a 10% increase in rainfall and a one-foot rise in sea level by the 2030s, our city’s flood risk is only growing.
What Can Be Done
We can create and prioritize permeable surfaces that absorb rainwater safely, minimizing flooding. Our leaders must invest in green infrastructure solutions like bioswales, trees, and rain gardens. A single bioswale can handle up to 2,200 gallons of water during a storm – preventing flooding that would otherwise fill streets and homes.
Learn more about how green infrastructure can help and what actions we can take now to prepare for the future by visiting Spatial Equity NYC.
Stay safe and be prepared!
Three things to know
Bike ridership continues to surge! Over the past three months, the Brooklyn Bridge has seen its highest bike ridership since data collection began in 2013. June 2024 recorded an impressive 31% increase in bike riders compared to June 2023, and this upward trend continued into July 2024, with a 22% rise in ridership from the previous year. Meanwhile, the Willis Avenue Bridge also saw a notable 21% year-over-year increase in bike traffic last month. We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: The bike boom is here to stay!
Our 11th Annual Vision Zero Cities Conference will feature Salt Lake City's Mayor Erin Mendenhall. Join us as we bring together global leaders dedicated to making cities safer, more equitable, and greener. Be part of the conversation and hear from our keynote speaker, Mayor Erin Mendenhall of Salt Lake City. Currently in her second term, she is a steadfast advocate for safe and equitable streets, and has made significant strides with initiatives to incentivize e-bikes and run more frequent public transit.
In the news. Here's what we're reading this week:
Canarsie residents rallied on Sunday to call on Mayor Adams to bring ferry service to their neighborhood, as he previously promised, reports Gothamist.
Mayor Adams has proposed just seven miles of new bus lanes this year, falling short of the mandated requirement, reports Streetsblog. Mayor Adams' failure to implement these legally-required bus lanes continues to neglect the needs of millions of bus riders.
If you build it, they will stop coming: Rat sightings are down 55% in the Hamilton Heights residential containerization zone, reports Gothamist.
TWO THINGS TO DO
Join us for the second Saturday of Manhattan Summer Streets. Get involved with our Broadway Linear Park and Miracle on 42nd Street campaigns with our Manhattan Activist Committee. This Saturday, August 10, starting at 10 a.m., visit our tables to learn more about our ongoing campaigns. Show your competitive side with fun activities and trivia, where you can test your knowledge and win exciting prizes. We'll be sharing the exact location later this week, so keep an eye on our social media for all the details.
Get your tickets now for our annual Pedestrian Prom. Tickets are now on sale for our annual member celebration — the Pedestrian Prom. Join us on September 10 at Brooklyn Brewery to celebrate our commitment to safe streets and honor our activists of the year. Member tickets are available for as low as $10. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by — secure your spot today!
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Support congestion pricing by emailing Governor Hochul today. Delaying congestion pricing not only undermines the progress we’ve made in improving our transit infrastructure, but also disregards the millions of New Yorkers who rely on public transportation every day. Congestion pricing has been shown to reduce traffic, improve air quality, and generate much-needed revenue for public transit improvements all over the world. Please take a moment today and let Governor Kathy Hochul know you support congestion pricing.
Thanks for reading!
Michelle and the TA Team
