Once again, the national news is led by stories of major flooding, this time in the Midwest. It’s not “unheard of,” “beyond belief,” or “could not be predicted” flooding, but flooding that can be expected from time to time, and has occurred a number of times in the last 15 years (which means most property owners were probably there and can remember it). While we in New York look with sympathy at the losses suffered as a result of the Midwest floods, we need to remember that New York isn’t immune. In fact, there have been numerous damaging floods in New York throughout history, including coastal floods downstate and on the Great Lakes, flash floods, large river floods and ice jam floods. Since 1954, there have been 28 flood events severe enough to result in presidential disaster declarations, causing about $1 billion in damage. Virtually no part of New York has been immune from flood damages. Is flooding increasing? Yes, for a number of reasons: First, changes in rainfall patterns are occurring. It makes no difference if you think it’s caused by global warming or something else — the reality is that while average yearly rainfall may remain fairly constant, rain occurs in less frequent, but more intense storms. Secondly, when development changes watersheds by converting farmland and forests to rooftops and big-box parking lots, less water soaks in and more rain runs off into our streams and rivers. This increases the amount of water from each rainfall event in our streams and thus increases the flood heights. Lastly, more and more people live or work in flood-prone areas, increasing flood damages. Residents and business owners need to know their flood risk. They need to consult with FEMA’s flood maps while realizing that floods often don’t stop at the line on the map. They need to buy flood insurance; the only way to protect their investment after a flood. If possible, avoid building in floodplains and never build in a manner that increases flood risks to others. Only by accepting personal and community responsibility will we not increase the adverse impacts associated with flooding. JANET THIGPEN Elmira The writer is chair of the New York State Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers.
And look at Rotterdam. I think that the entire town was built on a swamp!!! Rotterdam has it's own flooding problems!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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