GIS Map of Hurricane Sandy's impact by Dr. Alan Benimoff.
In 2011, Dr. William J. Fritz and a team of researchers from The City University of New York’s College of Staten Island began researching what would happen should a “perfect storm” hit New York City.
In June 2012, the team published an abstract highlighting the effects of a 12-foot storm surge on New York Harbor.
In October 2012, Sandy delivered a 14-foot storm surge to the area with devastating consequences, and a week later, the team’s paper was presented at the Geological Society of America’s annual meeting as scheduled, one week after the storm surge hit.
Dr. Fritz, Interim President and renowned geologist at the College of Staten Island, the only public institution of higher education in the borough hardest hit by the Sandy storm surge, invites you to reserve Friday, March 8, 2013 for a public forum at the College of Staten Island that engages representatives from the federal, state, city, and local levels, as well as leading scientists, business people, and educators from around the world for the Superstorm Sandy Forum: A Serious Conversation about the Future of Staten Island, presented by the College of Staten Island.
Dr. Fritz’s Five-Point Plan, as detailed in local-to-national media, will drive the discussions of the day-long forum.
Proposed topics may include:
-Why do hurricanes occur, and why is New York, and especially Staten Island, so vulnerable?
-The nature of storm protection, including barriers, mitigation, and natural resources. What are the rebuilding strategies of other coastal communities?
-How has the international community addressed land use to manage risk associated with flooding?
-How should Staten Island address zoning and land use issues in light of city, state, and federal taskforce activities; protection of natural resources; and building codes?
Panelists and moderators will be announced shortly, along with the launch of a Superstorm Sandy Forum Website.
