Westchester Action Plan, 2008 - Westchester County Government

A second related hazard for Westchester is severe weather, in the form of more severe
storms including rainfall events, hurricanes, tropical storms, nor’easters, tornados, and
other high wind hazards. The frequency of these events is also predicted to increase with
global warming, causing more flooding throughout the region. By the end of this century,
destructive 100-year floods are predicted to occur on average every 10 years in the
vicinity of Westchester County.
Heavy, damaging rainfall events have
already increased measurably across
the Northeast in recent decades.
Intense spring rains in 2006 and 2007
caused widespread flooding. Most
recently, the Nor'easter of April 2007
damaged scores of homes,
automobiles and businesses, caused
numerous power and gas outages,
and resulted in extended road closures
including major thoroughfares and
parkways. By the time it was over,
Westchester was declared a major
disaster area by FEMA and was
allocated $30 million in disaster relief.
Westchester’s July 2006 tornado caused damage
The implications of both sea level rise and increased intensity of storm events for
Westchester County are significant since high concentrations of population, property,
infrastructure, economic activity, and recreation occur within the coastal areas of the
County. Property damage and risk to life are potential concerns. Challenges to emergency
response, hazard mitigation, land-use planning and property insurance can be anticipated.
Just as coastal impacts are anticipated, so are marine impacts. It is anticipated that
commercially important fish and shellfish will shift northward as they will be unable to
inhabit the warmer water. The Lobster Fisheries in Long Island Sound are anticipated to
go into decline by mid-century. Similarly, cod are expected to decline.
Forests and the species that depend on them for habitat will also be impacted. In
particular, hemlocks and sugar maples may disappear, and significant shifts in bird
populations may occur as a result in the change in temperatures. Shifts in weather
patterns are another result of climate change. Models indicate that periods of drought
will occur in the Catskills where major drinking water reservoirs for New York City and the
County are located, creating the potential for periodic disruptions to the water supply.
Climate change will affect agriculture. While some crops may benefit from a longer
growing season, crops that require cold winters such as apples, blueberries and sugar
Attachment 1: Climate Change, Global Warming, and Westchester
Westchester Action Plan, 2008 1-5