New York City experienced severe flooding after a downpour of 2.7 inches of rain fell in just one hour, creating chaotic scenes. MTA Chair Janno Lieber cited the combined sewer overflow system, with limited capacity, as a major contributor to flooding. A modern systemic upgrade could cost over $36 billion. The city currently allocates $1 billion annually to manage sewers and is also implementing green solutions to address rainwater absorption. The MTA plans to invest $6 billion to enhance subway flood resiliency in the coming decade.
The storm created familiar scenes of chaos that replayed on social media, including a geyser of water bursting from the floor of the 28th Street subway station, rainwater pouring into a subway car, and drivers stuck on flooded expressways.
The bigger fix is the overall city sewer and storm water management system needs to be upsized to have more capacity to deal with these torrential sudden rainfall events.
Currently, the city's Department of Environmental Protection spends $1 billion a year on sewers and stormwater management, according to Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala.
The city is also pursuing green flood mitigation projects, like rain gardens and tree pits, to serve as sponges that better absorb rain.
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