Five Places in New Yorks Hurricane Alley Association of American Geographers Spatial Thinking and Hurricanes – Module 8.

Five PlacesFive Placesin New York’sin New York’s

“Hurricane Alley”“Hurricane Alley”

Association of American GeographersAssociation of American Geographers

Spatial Thinking and Hurricanes – Module 8Spatial Thinking and Hurricanes – Module 8

Five places near the shore in Staten Island.Five places near the shore in Staten Island.

What do the numbers on the contour lines indicate ?What do the numbers on the contour lines indicate ?

This is the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in New York City.This is the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in New York City.

A long beach extends south of the Bridge.A long beach extends south of the Bridge.

The city built this structure. What do you think it is?The city built this structure. What do you think it is?

How would you describe the construction of the boardwalk?How would you describe the construction of the boardwalk?

Do you know what these tall grass-like plants are?Do you know what these tall grass-like plants are?

Place APlace A

Elevation 7 FeetElevation 7 Feet

How would you describe these houses near Place A?How would you describe these houses near Place A?

What is different about these new houses?What is different about these new houses?

Compare and contrast these two buildingsCompare and contrast these two buildings..

Why would people build a house 12 steps above the ground?Why would people build a house 12 steps above the ground?

Place BPlace B

Elevation 10 FeetElevation 10 Feet

How would you describe this house near Place B?How would you describe this house near Place B?

Why would people build a house above its garage?Why would people build a house above its garage?

Place CPlace C

Elevation 15 FeetElevation 15 Feet

Place C is just above the storm-surge danger zonePlace C is just above the storm-surge danger zone ..

Describe these apartments between Place C and the ocean.Describe these apartments between Place C and the ocean.

What happens to the land northwest of Place C?What happens to the land northwest of Place C?

How is this house different from the ones near Place A?How is this house different from the ones near Place A?

Place DPlace D

Elevation 20 FeetElevation 20 Feet

How would you describe this house near place D?How would you describe this house near place D?

Place EPlace E

Elevation 40 FeetElevation 40 Feet

How would you describe these apartments near Place E?How would you describe these apartments near Place E?

Describe the land and houses north of Place E.Describe the land and houses north of Place E.

Why did they build a fort on the hillside near Place E?Why did they build a fort on the hillside near Place E?

ConclusionsConclusionsDo people live close to the oceanDo people live close to the ocean

near the Verrazano Narrows Bridge?near the Verrazano Narrows Bridge?

Is this area vulnerable to a hurricane storm surge?Is this area vulnerable to a hurricane storm surge?

What have people in this area doneWhat have people in this area doneto protect themselves from storm surges?to protect themselves from storm surges?

New York City has designated evacuation zonesNew York City has designated evacuation zonesfor hurricanes of categories 1, 2, and 3 (lightest blue).for hurricanes of categories 1, 2, and 3 (lightest blue).

www.nyc.gov/oem/he/index.htmwww.nyc.gov/oem/he/index.htm

Problem: some houses in the storm-surge area are lowProblem: some houses in the storm-surge area are low and vulnerable. What is a fair thing to do about them? and vulnerable. What is a fair thing to do about them?

Is it fair to require every new house to be built high enough Is it fair to require every new house to be built high enough

(and strong enough) to be safe from a storm surge?(and strong enough) to be safe from a storm surge?

While we are looking at this house, here is another question – While we are looking at this house, here is another question –

what will a 100-mph wind do to all these overhead wires?what will a 100-mph wind do to all these overhead wires?