Peekskill, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham has proposed the creation of a State Office of Flooding and Storm Water Management to address the growing challenges posed by climate change-related extreme weather events. The office would focus on assisting municipalities in preparing for intense rainfall and high-velocity winds while also providing support for disaster cleanup and repairs.
Harckham recommended an annual $500 million capital appropriation to fund the State Office of Flooding and Storm Water Management, similar to the allocation for water infrastructure improvement. The primary objective of the agency would be to develop regional solutions and enhance infrastructure resilience to cope with current and future weather events.
Senator Harckham stressed the urgency of taking action, stating, “The devastating climate-driven storms impacting our cities, towns, and villages across the state are exposing residents and business owners to untold risks and misfortunes. We cannot keep talking about the same areas around the state, year after year and storm after storm, that are savaged by weather-related floods. A major effort, centralized and overseen by the State, is required to initiate proactive approaches to storm preparations and infrastructure resilience that will mitigate the effects of each new crisis-level weather event.”
The call for the State Office of Flooding and Storm Water Management follows the recent heavy rainfall from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia, which caused extensive flooding and damage in New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island. The storm dumped over seven inches of rain in a matter of hours, overwhelming already saturated areas and leading to flooded roadways, subways, and train lines, as well as significant property damage.
In May 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a State of the Science Fact Sheet, highlighting the increased risk of coastal inundation during storms due to sea-level rise, more intense hurricane rain rates and wind intensities, and potential increases in Category 4-5 hurricanes. The report also projected rising rainfall rates within tropical storms and hurricanes.
Harckham emphasized the need for climate resilience projects and preparedness, saying, “The main goal here has to be the initiation of climate resilience projects as soon as possible. We must be ready to deal with these storms. Residents, commuters, business owners—they’ve had enough. It’s time for us to face the effects of our climate crisis and be better prepared.”
Senator Harckham plans to introduce legislation for the creation of the State Office of Flooding and Storm Water Management in the coming weeks as part of next year’s budget.
Sen. Pete Harckham represents the 40th Senate District, encompassing various towns and villages in Putnam, Westchester and Rockland Counties, particularly Stony Point.