New Report: Flooding is Now NYC’s Biggest Threat

By Y.M. Lowy

Flooding is now New York City’s biggest public health threat, according to a new report from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Every five years, the city reviews risks to public health, ranking hazards by how likely they are to cause serious problems. Flooding came out on top, ahead of infectious diseases, cyberattacks, coastal storms, and pandemics.

With sea levels rising and storms growing stronger, flooding is expected to become more common and pose a bigger risk to New Yorkers in the years ahead.