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Version 1 Version 2
How Safe Is Your City From a Flood? How Safe Is Your City From a Flood?
(about 7 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Could New Orleans Flood Again?,” by Andy Horowitz (Op-Ed, June 1):Re “Could New Orleans Flood Again?,” by Andy Horowitz (Op-Ed, June 1):
We New Orleanians are some of the most informed people in the world when it comes to flood risk and flood insurance. We know the costs of disaster all too well, with Hurricane Katrina being the costliest in United States history. Out of necessity our city has become stronger and more resilient.We New Orleanians are some of the most informed people in the world when it comes to flood risk and flood insurance. We know the costs of disaster all too well, with Hurricane Katrina being the costliest in United States history. Out of necessity our city has become stronger and more resilient.
Since 2005, the federal government has invested $14.5 billion in a 100-year risk reduction system that includes the most powerful pumps in the world and a 1.8-mile, 26-foot-high surge barrier. Today, no other coastal city in the country features as much flood protection. Our resilience planning is being amplified by a combined investment of $5.3 billion to improve water, sewer, drainage, roads and green infrastructure to further reduce risks from flooding and subsidence.Since 2005, the federal government has invested $14.5 billion in a 100-year risk reduction system that includes the most powerful pumps in the world and a 1.8-mile, 26-foot-high surge barrier. Today, no other coastal city in the country features as much flood protection. Our resilience planning is being amplified by a combined investment of $5.3 billion to improve water, sewer, drainage, roads and green infrastructure to further reduce risks from flooding and subsidence.
Still, flood insurance is one of the smartest investments property owners can make, and it is important that it be not only actuarially sound but also affordable. Right now, we must all acknowledge the inherent risks associated with living near water and take responsibility to protect ourselves.Still, flood insurance is one of the smartest investments property owners can make, and it is important that it be not only actuarially sound but also affordable. Right now, we must all acknowledge the inherent risks associated with living near water and take responsibility to protect ourselves.
To address our country’s long-term challenges, our national leaders need to make rebuilding and strengthening our infrastructure and building resistance a top priority. To address our country’s long-term challenges, our national leaders need to make rebuilding and strengthening our infrastructure and building resilience a top priority.
MITCH LANDRIEUMITCH LANDRIEU
MayorMayor
New OrleansNew Orleans
To the Editor:To the Editor:
No city, including New Orleans, is “safe from flooding.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps are produced using the best available science to determine high-risk flood zones, and the data included in our recent Insurance Rate Maps for New Orleans includes the latest climate, water engineering and levee design science.No city, including New Orleans, is “safe from flooding.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps are produced using the best available science to determine high-risk flood zones, and the data included in our recent Insurance Rate Maps for New Orleans includes the latest climate, water engineering and levee design science.
The price of flood insurance reflects that change in risk. Moreover, the significant investments in flood defenses made by the city over the last decade, coupled with the enhanced land use standards that it adopted, have improved the risk profile of the community considerably, and today the city is stronger than it was before Hurricane Katrina.The price of flood insurance reflects that change in risk. Moreover, the significant investments in flood defenses made by the city over the last decade, coupled with the enhanced land use standards that it adopted, have improved the risk profile of the community considerably, and today the city is stronger than it was before Hurricane Katrina.
The Obama administration continues to account for climate change. We’re not only requiring that new development be built higher and stronger any time that federal dollars are invested, but these structures must now also account for future risk, to avoid having to rebuild again.The Obama administration continues to account for climate change. We’re not only requiring that new development be built higher and stronger any time that federal dollars are invested, but these structures must now also account for future risk, to avoid having to rebuild again.
Flooding is the most common and costly disaster we see in America, and the most powerful tool that homeowners have to financially protect themselves from this threat is to buy and maintain flood insurance, regardless of whether it is mandated or voluntary.Flooding is the most common and costly disaster we see in America, and the most powerful tool that homeowners have to financially protect themselves from this threat is to buy and maintain flood insurance, regardless of whether it is mandated or voluntary.
While the price of flood insurance for structures in New Orleans may go down for some, the serious risk from flooding remains.While the price of flood insurance for structures in New Orleans may go down for some, the serious risk from flooding remains.
ROY WRIGHTROY WRIGHT
Deputy Associate AdministratorDeputy Associate Administrator
for Insurance and Mitigationfor Insurance and Mitigation
Federal Emergency Management AgencyFederal Emergency Management Agency
WashingtonWashington
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Climate change will prove to be one of the toughest challenges facing coastal cities like New York and New Orleans. But it also presents a real opportunity to adapt as we plan for our future.Climate change will prove to be one of the toughest challenges facing coastal cities like New York and New Orleans. But it also presents a real opportunity to adapt as we plan for our future.
Here in New York City, we saw firsthand the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. It was clear that we could not just “recover” from the storm. We needed to emerge from Sandy a stronger and more resilient city — not just ready for “the next Sandy” but instead prepared for a future with climate change.Here in New York City, we saw firsthand the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. It was clear that we could not just “recover” from the storm. We needed to emerge from Sandy a stronger and more resilient city — not just ready for “the next Sandy” but instead prepared for a future with climate change.
With the help of the New York City Panel on Climate Change, we’ve been actively carrying out a $20 billion plan to build a more resilient city: upgrading building and zoning codes, elevating thousands of homes, investing to protect critical infrastructure, and putting in place major new flood protections. These are all part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s OneNYC initiative.With the help of the New York City Panel on Climate Change, we’ve been actively carrying out a $20 billion plan to build a more resilient city: upgrading building and zoning codes, elevating thousands of homes, investing to protect critical infrastructure, and putting in place major new flood protections. These are all part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s OneNYC initiative.
As part of this effort, we will continue to fight for reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program to make sure that risk is communicated accurately and effectively and that flood insurance remains available and affordable to New Yorkers who rely on its coverage.As part of this effort, we will continue to fight for reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program to make sure that risk is communicated accurately and effectively and that flood insurance remains available and affordable to New Yorkers who rely on its coverage.
DANIEL ZARRILLIDANIEL ZARRILLI
CYNTHIA ROSENZWEIGCYNTHIA ROSENZWEIG
WILLIAM SOLECKIWILLIAM SOLECKI
New YorkNew York
Mr. Zarrilli is senior director for climate policy and programs and chief resilience officer at New York City’s Office of the Mayor. Ms. Rosenzweig is senior research scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Mr. Solecki is a professor of geography at Hunter College. Ms. Rosenzweig and Mr. Solecki are co-chairs of the New York City Panel on Climate Change.Mr. Zarrilli is senior director for climate policy and programs and chief resilience officer at New York City’s Office of the Mayor. Ms. Rosenzweig is senior research scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Mr. Solecki is a professor of geography at Hunter College. Ms. Rosenzweig and Mr. Solecki are co-chairs of the New York City Panel on Climate Change.