Climate Resiliency

Cloudburst Management

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rendering of cloudburst hub subsurface infrastructure
Rendering of Cloudburst Hub Infrastructure

A “cloudburst” is a sudden, heavy downpour where a lot of rain falls in a short amount of time. Cloudburst management implements a combination of methods that absorb, store, and transfer stormwater to minimize flooding from cloudburst events. Using grey infrastructure, like sewer pipes and underground storage tanks, and Green Infrastructure, like trees and Rain Gardens, cloudburst management can minimize damage to property and infrastructure by reducing strain on the Sewer System.

“Cloudburst hubs” are identified at the sub-catchment scale, which are hydraulically connected areas based on the sewer network. Cloudburst hubs feature a network of stormwater management tools that work together to alleviate flooding and help to make neighborhoods more resilient during intense rainstorms. In January 2023 the Mayor and DEP announced the four initial Cloudburst Hubs: Corona and Kissena Park, Queens, Parkchester/Morris Park, Bronx, and East New York, Brooklyn.

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Cloudburst Hubs

Other Cloudburst Initiatives

Through a partnership with the City of Copenhagen, DEP published a Cloudburst Resiliency and Planning Study in 2017.

DEP is beginning construction of the first pilots of cloudburst management at the NYC Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) South Jamaica Houses. Download the NYCHA: South Jamaica Houses Cloudburst Master Plan 2018 for more information.

DEP has also begun to implement several other cloudburst pilot projects including: Clinton Houses, in East Harlem, Manhattan; St. Albans/Addisleigh Park, Queens; and Beach 67th Street in Far Rockaway, Queens.


Flood Prevention

There’s actually a lot New Yorkers can do to protect our City from flooding.

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Rainfall Ready NYC

A plan to prepare the city government and New Yorkers for more extreme rainfall in the future

Increasing Stormwater Resilience

Our long term vision in the face of climate change.