Water Emergencies in Louisiana, New York City

Climate emergencies led to salt water intrusion and record rainfall and flooding in Brooklyn

Now that we’ve officially started fall, the tallies of a record-breaking 2023 summer will begin, marked by record-shattering heat and oceanic temperatures, major hurricanes, fires in Hawaii, tropical storms in California, locally-acquired Malaria in Florida, and a long list of climate change exacerbated disasters.

So far, Fall 2023 isn’t shaping up to be any better.

Two water emergencies hit major metropolitan areas this week, following years of unheeded warnings from scientists and engineers.

I worked for the coastal agency tasked with dealing with these problems in Louisiana. I also worked response to Hurricane Sandy (2012), which flooded much of Long Island and the surrounding areas.

The body of evidence and dire warnings scientists have issued are now manifesting exactly as projected, but both stories have somehow been lost in the media.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Governor John Bel Edwards, and President Joe Biden declared emergency declarations for New Orleans’ water crisis this week.

Torrential rainfall on the heels of Tropical Storm Ophelia made September a top-five month for New York City precipitation since 1869. Flooding in the subway system, streets in a low-lying apartments and businesses crippled the city, especially in Brooklyn.