Lessons Learned from Superstorm Sandy Can Help Reduce Impact of Future Storms, Climate Change

The study, known as the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study, is designed to help local communities better understand changing flood risks associated with climate change and to provide tools to help those communities better prepare for future flood risks. It builds on lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy and attempts to bring to bear the latest scientific information available for state, local, and tribal planners.

News Release 1/28/15

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a report detailing the results of a two-year study to address storm and flood risk to vulnerable populations, property, ecosystems, and infrastructure in areas severely affected by Superstorm Sandy.

The study, known as the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study, is designed to help the federal government, states, and local communities better understand changing flood risks associated with climate change and to provide tools to help those communities better prepare for future storms.  Federal funding for this study was provided by the Sandy aid package, which Pallone fought for in Congress.

“I am hopeful that this report will help federal, state, and local governments mitigate the adverse effects of future disasters,” said Congressman Pallone.  “This study builds on the lessons we learned from Superstorm Sandy and allows officials to use the latest science and tools to ensure that New Jersey coastal communities are resilient to the impacts of climate change, as well as future storms.”

Through the study, the Army Corps of Engineers has developed a nine-step “Coastal Storm Risk Management Framework,” which will help officials identify and reduce risks in their town or state and can be customized for different coastal areas.  The report also analyzed the potential impacts of sea level rise on areas affected by Superstorm Sandy and found that more attention must be paid to bayside areas where the effects of sea level change will be felt first.

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