Accessible information on public website. Eas to use.
Flooding
High risk for flooding. High population density and high risk for property/related economic losses in the Five Boroughs. Rising sea levels could increase risk of serious storms. Recent Hurricane Sandy caused billions of dollars in damages and similar storms are becoming more frequent.
-FEMA Map also not user friendly, hard to extrapolate relevant data. (Note NYC appeal on FEMA's outdated/inaccurate flood plain mapping)
-NYC Flood Plain website was very user friendly, however uses static information on general risk. Also no legend for 2020 and 2050 flood plain predictions.
-Increased storm risk article was easily accessed and read on TIME.com, used data from PNAS article Very easy to reach core PNAS article.
Severe Weather/Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Moderate to High risk and increasing. In 2013, NYC's likellihood of being hit by a hurricane doubled. Since 2003, at least nine tornadoes have hit NYC. Current system for hurricanes is deemed inadequate and for tornadoes, seriously lacking by a report from the New York State Assembly. Tornado strength range of EF0-EF2.
Open pdf file, easy to find on search, but not circulated widely.
Nuclear Facility
Within 50 miles of Indian Point Nuclear Facility, within evacuation radius. Within 90 miles of Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (NJ). Moderate to high risk of property damage and permanent loss in breakdown event.
Easily found database, one of the first search hits for nuclear reactor evacuation.
Chemical Facility (hazardous waste)
Low to Moderate risk. At least three chemical facilities within the city and Staten Island. More facilities upriver on the Hudson could contribute to risk.
No aggregate data. Had to use Google maps search function. Some data could be absent from search because they may not have a website/accessible information.
Sewage Treatment Facility (hazardous waste)
Moderate risk, 10 plants within 35 miles, 7 within 15 miles. Several have water access to the Hudson or the East River. Note: all mileages are taken from plant to city center (Lower Manhattan, and does not account for individual boroughs).
No database for sewage treatment plants, had to individually search for sewage treatment. Some plants were under different names (Waste water treatment, waste water disposal, etc.), other businesses included in search so they had to be investigated (some "County Offices" were treatment plants).
Climate Change
High Risk. NYC is ranked 4th of cities in the Unites States (Population greater than 200,000) most affected by climate change.
Found in Philadephia search (#10 on the list) through another article.
Severe Heat (Climate Change)
Increasing risk. By 2050, NYS temperatures are projected to increase 2 to 4 degrees (Fahrenheit). Also, longer and more severe heat waves are predicted, increasing health risks. Deaths related to high temperatures have been increasing. Mayor DeBlasio made a statement about recent 2015 heat waves urging safety precautions. Cooling stations are strewn throughout the city.
Moderately well circulated data, was on Google search, but had to dig to find site. Climate change data was difficult to find regarding just NYC, but reactionary measures to high heat were more esaily accessed.
Winter Storms
Five NESIS (Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale) storms in the last 10 years. 2006; Level 3 (Major), 2010 Feb; Level 3 (Major), 2010 Dec; Level 3 (Major), 2011; Level 1 (Notable), 2016 Level 4 (Crippling). Moderate to High Risk. Blizzards are not uncommon in the area, so there is infrastructure present, however some storms can overpower it. Snow storms can affect power lines, transit, and increase rates of injury due to slippery conditions and overexertion.
. Easily accessed article. Popular topic in NY State.
Drug Abuse (Heroin, Cocaine, Opiod Analgesics)
Moderate to High Risk, Changing. In 2010 Cocaine accounted for more than half of emergency room visits in NYC. Heroin users have the greatest representation in rehabilitation centers. From 2000-2011 Opiod related drug poisoning deaths increased nby 267%. Heroin and other drug use may be on the rise as prescription drugs become harder to obtain.
Fairly well circulated data from NYC government and federal agencies.
Suicide
Moderate risk. Suicide rate is about 6/100,000 (2012 data). NYC is ranked one of the top five most stressful cities by Sperling. However, NYS does have relatively good suicide prevention services.
Sperling data is consumer and relatively well circulated on US internet.
However, NYC suicide data was very hard to locate. In Albany a full health report was available on NYS health website, however data on NYC was not provided in the same way. On a google search a link with data leads to a 404 error and cannot be read. It was only through a 2012 Huffington post article that I could find significant data. A pdf was available with data on suicide from NYC.gov, however, it was just in total number of suicides and the method used, and no city wide statistics.
NYC History
Flood Plain Map
Increased Storm Risk
-NYC Flood Plain website was very user friendly, however uses static information on general risk. Also no legend for 2020 and 2050 flood plain predictions.
-Increased storm risk article was easily accessed and read on TIME.com, used data from PNAS article Very easy to reach core PNAS article.
Hurricanes
De Blasio
Heat Deaths
NYC Risk Profile
Climate change data was difficult to find regarding just NYC, but reactionary measures to high heat were more esaily accessed.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Easily accessed article. Popular topic in NY State.
Heroin
Opiods
2012 Data Huffington Post
However, NYC suicide data was very hard to locate. In Albany a full health report was available on NYS health website, however data on NYC was not provided in the same way. On a google search a link with data leads to a 404 error and cannot be read. It was only through a 2012 Huffington post article that I could find significant data. A pdf was available with data on suicide from NYC.gov, however, it was just in total number of suicides and the method used, and no city wide statistics.