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 interventions that work together to mitigate flooding from future extreme weather events and fortify neighborhoods against climate change. 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

Corona

The Cloudburst Hub project in Corona, Queens is currently in early design and is looking for feedback from the community. If you would like to learn about future events and opportunities to get involved, visit Newsletters and subscribe to the “DEP Cloudburst Corona” email list.

Outreach Event

DEP will be at the Corona Public Library Community Day on May 11 from 11–2pm. Stop by our table to learn more about the Corona Cloudburst Hub and share your experiences with flooding in the neighborhood through interactive games and activities! Corona Public Library Address: 38-23 104th St., Corona, NY 11368

Kissena

The Cloudburst Hub project in Kissena, Queens is currently in early design and is looking for feedback from the community. If you would like to learn about future events and opportunities to get involved, visit Newsletters and subscribe to the “DEP Cloudburst Kissena” email list.

Community Meeting

DEP will be presenting information on the Kissena Cloudburst Hub project and would like to gather your insights on flooding concerns and flood management priorities. This virtual meeting will have two sessions. Both sessions will cover the same material, so please register for the one that best suits your schedule:

Parkchester/Morris Park

The Cloudburst Hub project in Parkchester/Morris Park, Bronx is currently in early design and is looking for feedback from the community. If you would like to learn about future events and opportunities to get involved, visit Newsletters and subscribe to the “DEP Cloudburst Parkchester/Morris Park” email list.

East New York (Hendrix Linden)

The Cloudburst Hub project in East New York, Brooklyn is currently in early design and is looking for feedback from the community. If you would like to learn about future events and opportunities to get involved, visit Newsletters and subscribe to the “DEP Cloudburst East New York” email list.

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.