Are We Ready For The Next Hurricane? More>
A late April 2015 symposium featuring local experts on Superstorm Sandy and Preparedness


Long Island Coastal Resiliency Summit at Touro Law to Be Held April 16 More>
New York Sea Grant to present Living Shorelines to Control Coastal Erosion


When To Dredge in NY's Marine Waters? Workshop Summary Sheds Light More>
A recently-released NYSG publication summarizes the findings of a workshop focusing on the use of dredging “windows” for permitting navigation dredging projects in the inlets and bays of Long Island's south shore, the New York / New Jersey Harbor and Lower Hudson River. Windows refer to the optimal time frame in which dredging might be done while causing the least interference with the life cycle of commercially important marine species, notably fish..

• More Info: When To Dredge in NY's Marine Waters? Workshop Summary Sheds Light More>

Sandy: Science Behind the Storm, Two Years Later More>
Late October 2014 marked the two-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy’s landfall in the Metro NY region. Since then, there have been many positions taken by researchers and decision-makers alike on which management response route New York should take: one of resistance (precaution and prevention), resilience (bringing our communities back to their pre-storm state) or re-alignment (evolve and reconfigure what, how and when to rebuild). "I cannot tell you when the next big one will be, but it will come," says NYSG-funded Stony Brook University storm surge expert Dr. Malcolm Bowman. "It's inevitable in the long term. And the sooner we come to that realization, the better."


Coastal Storms Awareness Program
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s $1.4M "Coastal Storm Awareness Program" (CSAP) is a multi-year partnership with Sea Grant programs in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut that is intended to raise awareness of how severe weather is communicated to and within communities. Below are updates on several of the 10 funded projects, several of which are administered by each of the three Sea Grant programs. Additional information on CSAP can be found at www.nyseagrant.org/csap.

• New York:
  
  On Blog: Evaluating Pre-Sandy Evacuation Decision-Making Processes Among Long Beach Residents (Hofstra University) More>
  As one might expect, this social science project has much to do with the culture, language, and attitude of people making the profound and often emotional decision about whether or not to evacuate their home before a storm hits.
  
  
• Connecticut:
  
  Storm Warning: Why Do So Many People Ignore Evacuation Orders? (Yale University) More>
  When dangerous storms batter coastal communities, not all residents heed safety advisories. A new study by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication explores what factors shape these choices.
  
  Tweeting in the Tempest: What We're Learning From #Sandy (Mississippi State University) More>
  So far, investigators who have been identifying and linking up some 12 million tweets sent during Hurricane Sandy—cataloging them by frequency of use of term—have yielded some interesting insights for everyday people and emergency managers alike.
  
  
• New Jersey:
  
  On YouTube: Severe Storm Focus Group Study on Flood Risk and Uncertainty (Nature Nurture Center) More>
  Participants in several New Jersey counties are being accepted into focus groups and surveyed about their use of the various flood warning tools and products made available by the U.S. National Weather Service.
  
  Coastal Storm Risk Communication Study Led by Rutgers Faculty (Rutgers University) More>
  Rutgers professor Rachel Schwom is conducting interviews with emergency managers of coastal towns as part of this NOAA-Sea Grant risk communication study.

WWWhat's Trending: Be Weather-Ready, Year-Round More>
Whether the weather calls for rain, snow, strong winds or something else severe, one thing is for sure: Winging it is not an option. Here's what you need to know about these and other seasonal concerns from NOAA, Sea Grant, the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and others.


Social Science & Severe Weather: Evaluating NOAA's Impact-based Warning Tool More>
As featured on the National Sea Grant Office's Web site, NYSG's Associate Director Dr. Kathy Bunting-Howarth is one of four social scientists from the Great Lakes Social Science Network who evaluated the effectiveness of some warnings put out by the National Weather Service. “Understanding how to best communicate about severe weather is imperative," says Bunting-Howarth.


Sea Grant Extension Exchange Offers Insights into Storm Recovery More>
More than two years after Hurricane Sandy made landfall in the northeast, the Sea Grant programs in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut are still dealing with storm recovery issues. Louisiana Sea Grant—whose specialists helped their communities in the aftermath of severe storms including Katrina and Rita—lend a helping hand.


Sea Grant Extension Exchange Offers Insights into Storm Recovery More>


MWA's Annual Conference: Rebuilding NYC's  Waterfront in the Wake of Severe Storms More>
The focus of this Spring 2014 conference was on grassroots, community-based waterfront plans developed before and after Superstorm Sandy. As panelists and the hundreds of attendees alike asked during the day-long discussion sessions, we've surely done great planning, but are we doing enough to get the job done?


Communications is Key to Hurricane Preparedness More>
Atlantic Hurricane Season began June 1 and, as documented by National Sea Grant Office 2014 Knauss Fellow Elizabeth Bevand, Sea Grant is helping communities throughout the U.S. prepare for hurricanes for the short and long term. Also, NYSG's Web Content Manager Paul C. Focazio is profiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Sea Grant College Program about what everyone needs to know about preparing for a hurricane as well as how he got hooked on science communications and how others in or considering the field might sharpen their skills.


NOAA and Sea Grant Issue 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook in NYC More>
What was the outlook for the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season? That was the topic of discussion at a news conference held at the New York City Office of Emergency Management in Brooklyn on Thursday, May 22. Also, New York Sea Grant joins other Great Lakes Sea Grant programs in a social science study to help evaluate more effective weather warnings.


Be Aware On and Beyond NOAA Sea Grant's National Rip Current Awareness Week and Beach Safety Week More>
NOAA, Sea Grant and their partners want you to be aware of the dangers of rip currents so that you can enjoy a summer of fun in the sun at the shore.


New York Sea Grant Joins NOAA and NWS in Support of 2014's National Severe Weather Preparedness Week More>
Highlighting NYSG's recent round of research and education to raise awareness of severe storms like Superstorm Sandy.


Researchers Convene in NYC to Discuss Improving Community Awareness on Coastal Storms More>
The Cornell Chronicle, Syracuse's Post Standard and a string of newspapers, including New York's Newsday, are just some of the media outlets giving attention to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s $1.4M "Coastal Storm Awareness Program" (CSAP). This multi-year effort—a partnership between NOAA and Sea Grant programs in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut—is intended to raise awareness of how severe weather is communicated to and within communities.

 

Related News: ESF social scientists improving storm-warning communications - Syracuse Post Standard More>

 

NYSG to Receive Nearly $2.4 M for Coastal Research and Outreach More>
This collection of new research and outreach - powered by nearly $2.4 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - addresses storm hazards, climate change, fisheries health, hypoxia and harmful algal blooms.


Sandy's Harsh Legacy: NYSG Helps New Yorkers Understand and Mitigate Its Impacts More>
In Sandy’s wake, New York Sea Grant surveyed 250 marinas feeling $85 million in economic impacts, tracked the fate of nitrogen inputs to salt marsh ecosystem following sewage treatment failure, and monitored the growth of Fire Island breach.

NYSG Responds with Research and Outreach More>

 

Weathering the Next Big Storm More>
This Stony Brook Magazine feature examines the efforts of the often-New York Sea Grant-funded Stony Brook's Storm Surge Research Group, whose members offer a bold plan to protect New York City.


Stony Brook University Researcher Malcolm Bowman vs. The Storms More>
As declared by The Village Times Herald, a weekly newspaper published on Long Island's north shore, Bowman was named a "Man of the Year" for raising awareness of coastal storm dangers. A summary of other topical media discussions with the likes of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, the BBC, and journalist Dan Rather is also included.

NOAA Provides Future Flood Zones for New York City More>
Since 2010, Stony Brook University (SBU) School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) oceanographer Malcolm Bowman, a long-time NYSG-funded researcher, has served on the New York Panel Climate Change and co-authored the recently released, related report.


NYSG to Receive Nearly $2.4M for Coastal Research and Outreach More>
Sea Grant Projects on storm hazards, climate change, fisheries health, hypoxia, harmful algal blooms


On YouTube: Living Shorelines Workshop More>


NOAA and Sea Grant Fund a New Coastal Storm Awareness Program More>
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program announces the award of $1.8M in grants to Sea Grant programs in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.


Superstorm Sandy: One Year Later - NOAA and Sea Grant's Response More>
For seven days in the Fall of 2012, Hurricane Sandy pounded the Caribbean and U.S. East Coast with punishing rain, wind, and waves. As the storm approached landfall, the National Hurricane Center renamed the hurricane "Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy." But to those whose lives were devastated -- it will always be remembered as Superstorm Sandy.

 

• NOAA, Sea Grant Programs Post-Sandy Step-Up: Press Briefing, Conference Educate on Coastal Storms More>
  At a November 2013 NOAA Coastal Storms Press Briefing in Washington, D.C., NYSG’s Coastal Processes Specialist Jay Tanski offered a perspective on how to implement NOAA-wide initiatives at the local level. As documented in several video clips from Portland, Maine's ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates, Tanski was also a speaker at mid-July 2013's Maine Sea Grant-hosted event Beaches Conference, where over 200+ attendees engaged in post-Superstorm Sandy discussions, among other topics.
  
  
• NOAA Announces Sea Grant's Coastal Storm Awareness Program More>
  As discussed by Peyton Robertson, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Chair of Sandy Assessment Team via Federal News Radio, Sea Grant programs in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut are administering a new $1.8M NOAA-funded Coastal Storm Awareness Program. The funded projects will examine how people react to storm warnings and how to best communicate this information to communities and its residents.
  
  
• On Blog: Can Salt Marshes Handle Effluent From a Failed Sewage Treatment Plant? More>
  New York Sea Grant funded research to measure if the ecosystem could handle the additional sewage and increase its capacity to serve as a “nutrient sink,” or if the enhanced nutrient loads would shift the ecosystem to an alternative state that perpetuates additional organic matter loading.
  
  
• On Blog, On YouTube: Superstorm Sandy: One Year Later - Long Island Breach More>
  In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy split Fire Island, New York into two islands, creating a new inlet to the bay behind it. As seen in a video clip from National Geographic and documented in a photo journal blog, NYSG-funded scientists explain why monitoring the breach is important, as its evolution will affect the tidal dynamics and the ecosystem of the Long Island's eastern Great South Bay.
  
  
• National Geographic: Rising Seas More>
  In September 2013, National Geographic placed a spotlight on climate change in its extensive feature story, "Rising Seas," which focused on a central series of concepts: As the planet warms, the sea rises. Coastlines flood. What will we protect? What will we abandon? How will we face the danger of rising seas?
  
  
• On YouTube: Documentary - Superstorm Sandy More>
  The documentary short “Sandy’s Hidden Damage” shows how the storm has changed the city forever – and how experts' opinions on what will save New York clash while some New Yorkers affected by Sandy feel left behind.
  
  
• On Air: Burn - Rising Seas More>
  This radio and Web series examines the causes and consequences of sea level changes in south Florida, the Gulf Coast, New York City, and Greenland, where ice-melt is going to make the world a very different place.
  
  
• On YouTube: Protecting The East Coast From Future Storms More>
  In a November 2013 interview with MyLITV, Dr. Malcolm Bowman explains what U.S. East coast communities should do to prevent "Sandy-Like" damage.
  
  
• Stony Brook University Researcher Malcolm Bowman vs. The Storms More>
  NYSG-funded researcher Dr. Malcom Bowman's efforts to inform the public on the impact of storms such as Superstorm Sandy were highlighted in late December 2013 by The Village Times Herald, a weekly newspaper published nearby Stony Brook University's main campus.

NOAA and Sea Grant Fund a New Coastal Storm Awareness Program More>
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program announces the award of $1.8M in grants to Sea Grant programs in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.


Superstorm Sandy Media Archive Featuring NYSG-Funded Researchers and Specialists More>
A comprehensive archive of media mentions and content from NYSG-funded researchers and specialists on Fall 2012's Superstorm Sandy


New York Sea Grant is a Force of Nature More>
With hurricane season underway, NYSG offers a news archives and other hurricane-related resources, as well as YouTube clips with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2013 Atlantic hurricane season predictions as well as the National Weather Services National Hurricane Center's Hurricane Preparedness PSA series.


"Living Shorelines for Coastal Erosion Protection in a Changing World" Workshop More>
This mid-May 2013 NYSG workshop is designed to provide attendees—government officials, coastal mangers and planners, shoreline property owners, marine contractors and consultants, NGOs and others interested in coastal erosion management—with practical information on the use of living shorelines as an erosion control alternative. The focus will be on smaller scale projects that have erosion protection as the primary objective.


New York Sea Grant Provides $50K for Two Research Projects in Wake of Superstorm Sandy More>
In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, New York Sea Grant (NYSG) has responded by funding two new research projects on Long Island's South Shore valued at $50,000. These projects add to NYSG’s suite of research and outreach projects that address the state’s coastal hazards.

Also see our other related March 2013 news items, "New York Sea Grant Responds to Superstorm Sandy" and "NOAA Programs, FEMA Educate During March 2013's National Severe Weather Preparedness Week."


Impacts of Barrier Island Breaches More>
Superstorm Sandy caused a breach at Old Inlet, Fire Island. A New York Sea Grant publication (funded by the National Park Service) examines the impacts of barrier island breaches


More Sandy-Related Video, Audio and Transcripts from Stony Brook University SoMAS Researchers:

December 3, 2012 - On YouTube: SoMAS Lecture - Storm Surge From Superstorm Sandy: Causes and Impacts More>

November 20, 2012 - On YouTube: PBS News Hour - "Protecting NY From Future Superstorms as Sea Levels Rise" More>

 

• Related News: PBS News Hour: Engineers Consider Barriers to Protect NY From Another Sandy More>

November 12, 2012 - On YouTube: Regional News Network - "After the Storm - Could All The Flooding Have Been Avoided?" More>


SBU Researcher To Appear in PBS/Nova Superstorm Sandy Documentary More>
PBS Nova's Sandy documentary this Sunday evening is said to examine if these superstorms are becoming more frequent; Dr. Malcolm Bowman, a Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences investigator is slated to be featured.


In the News: Superstorm Sandy and the Discussion from SBU Experts that Followed More>
New York Sea Grant-funded Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences researchers who tracked superstorm Sandy before, during and after landfall made the rounds in media discussions, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NBC News, ABC News, the Associated Press and Newsday, among others.

Transcripts, with video/audio, are available for the following media segments:

October 30, 2012: NBC News/Cosmic Blog - "NYC flood was foreseen: Now what?" More>

November 1, 2012: NBC News/Rock Center with Brian Williams - "Hurricane Sandy provides 'wake-up call' for cities at risk of flooding" More>

November 1, 2012: National Public Radio - "Protecting New York From Future Flooding" More>

November 2, 2012: ABC News - "Superstorm Sandy Spurs Talk of Sea Barrier for New York" More>

November 8, 2012: NPR On Point - "In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, New York looks at sea walls" More>

Also, check out May 2011's SBU Provost Lecture - Malcolm Bowman: Tsunami: Could It Happen To Us? More>

Stony Brook University Storm Surge Research Group Track Superstorm Sandy, Correct Inaccuracies More>
New York Sea Grant-funded Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences researchers tracked superstorm Sandy before, during and after landfall, correcting inaccuracies along its track on the East Coast.


CBS News on "Preparing For The Perfect Storm" More>
No one knew how bad it was going to be when Hurricane Irene barreled up the East Coast a year ago, flooding whole towns, destroying homes. Up and down the East Coast, Irene caused residents billions of dollars. Experts agree that weather is becoming more severe and they warn that we're not ready for it.


Publications Spotlight: Long Island’s Dynamic South Shore (2012 Reprint) More>


Coastal Flooding Concerns in NYC Continues Discussion on Storm Surge Barriers More>
With a 520-mile-long coast lined largely by teeming roads and fragile infrastructure, New York City is gingerly facing up to the intertwined threats posed by rising seas and ever-more-severe storm flooding. So began a mid-September 2012 New York Times feature article, "New York Is Lagging as Seas and Risks Rise, Critics Warn," which examines some of the climate change research being done in Metro NY.


Hurricane Leslie Brings High Rip Current Risk Alert to NY's Ocean Beaches More>


Hurricane Isaac: NOAA Updates, Reflections on Irene and Katrina More>


NYSG Partners in Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes on Rip Currents Education More>


NYSG dives into Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance's City of Water Days; Provides educational materials on rip currents, severe storms, and More More>


On YouTube: Rip Currents in the Great Lakes More>


Rip Current Awareness Week is June 3-9, 2012: NOAA and Sea Grant Provide Resources More>


Sea Grant programs nationwide are NOAA partners helping prepare for 2012's Hurricane Season;
Rip currents on Long Island, Coastal flooding in New York City are concerns More>


NOAA and FEMA's 2012 National Severe Weather Preparedness Week More>


NYSG provides green, clean boating tips More>


Newsday: From Mild Winter to What's Next More>
This past winter's more milder months may lead to hardships this spring and summer, including, as described by NYSG-funded researcher and Stony Brook University (SBU) professor Dr. Christopher Gobler, an increase in algal blooms in Long Island's coastal waters. Also, SBU professor Henry Bokuniewicz says with fewer winter storms to stir up wind gusts and waves, Long Island's shoreline received a much-needed reprieve.


NYSG-Funded Researcher on Concern Over Risk of Storm Surges in New York City (January 2012) More>


Hurricane Education: Tips and Resources More>

New York Times Blogs on NYSG-Funded SBU Researchers Tracking Hurricane Irene More>

Each summer, NOAA and Sea Grant remind beachgoers: Rip Currents can be a threat More>

New Brochure on Rip Currents and other Beach Hazards More>

"Fighting Back the Waves" in NYC: NYSG-funded researcher discusses possible ways of preventing flood disasters More>


SBU Researcher Talks on WNYC Radio About Sea Level Rise in NYC More>


NOAA Sea Grant and Climate Change: Helping the Nation Prepare More>

NOAA's Climate Change Adaptation Communication Resources, October/November '10 More >

NOAA Sea Grant Initiates $1.2 Million Community Climate Change Adaptation Initiative, September '10  More >

NYSG Hosts Workshop on Communicating Climate Science, August '10 More >

New York Sea Grant is part of a multi-state NOAA Public Education Climate Change Project (March '10) More >

NOAA Sea Grant's Response to the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill More>


The Quiet Before the Storm? More>

Relative “Quiet” Broken with March 2010 Storm More >

New Web Site Helps Managers Deal with Nor’easters More>

ECWS (East Coast Winter Storms) More>

New Weather Web Site Goes Back to Predict the Future More >

In two New York Sea Grant articles, Coastal Expert Jay Tanski puts climate change in perspective, in the context of how it is and may continue to influence sea level rise and flooding due to storm surges specific to Long Island’s north and south shores. More >


Fall 2008 Lecture Series at Stony Brook Southampton closed with a Dec 5th talk on Storm Surges in New York's Coastal Waters More >


Breaking the Waves: Breakwater research More >


Researchers find ways to improve storm surge forecasts for metro NY More >


Publication Spotlight: Long Island’s Dynamic South Shore More>