Defending the Waterfront

The plan to stop the next Sandy

New York City was tested when Hurricane Sandy hit last year--and the Big Apple failed. A record 14-ft. storm surge in lower Manhattan flooded subway tunnels and power plants, leaving millions stranded and without electricity. And Sandy is only the beginning. With sea levels potentially rising by more than 2.5 ft. by midcentury, New York and other cities will surely face more superstorms in the decades to come.

New York's response: a new $20 billion storm-protection plan. The proposal includes the construction of an extensive network of flood walls meant to protect the city's 520 miles of coastline. But it also...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!