Is New York City Becoming Atlantis? Or Just a Really Wet Subway?
New York City. The city that never sleeps, or maybe it's just snoozing through a perpetual puddle. With climate change doing its best impression of a broken sprinkler, the question on everyone's lips (or at least, the ones not currently submerged) is: how much of the Big Apple is actually underwater?
Let's dive in, shall we?
New York, New York... Under Water, Under Water?
Okay, so the city isn’t actually sinking like the Titanic. But with those increasingly frequent downpours and rising sea levels, it's starting to feel like Noah's Ark might be a solid investment. Remember that time the subway turned into a river? Or when Central Park became a lake? Yeah, us too.
While the entirety of Manhattan isn't a marine wonderland (yet), certain areas are definitely more prone to flooding than others. Low-lying neighborhoods, those near the waterfront, and basically anywhere with a subway station seems to be on the watery hit list. But don't panic just yet, your favorite pizza place is probably still dry. Mostly.
How Much is Too Much Water?
Quantifying exactly how much of NYC is flooded at any given time is like trying to count the grains of sand on a very wet beach. It depends on a lot of factors: the strength of the storm, the tides, and whether or not someone left a fire hydrant open for a laugh.
But let's just say that if you're planning a boat race through Times Square, you might want to check the weather forecast first.
What Can We Do About It?
Aside from investing in a snorkel and some water wings, there are actually steps being taken to combat the city's watery woes. From building stronger seawalls to improving drainage systems, the powers that be are trying to keep things afloat.
And hey, maybe we can all do our part by being a little more mindful of our carbon footprint. Because let's face it, a world without pizza is a world we don't want to live in.
How to... Survive the NYC Floodpocalypse
- How to Build a DIY Ark: While we don't recommend actually building an ark, a sturdy pair of wellies and a waterproof phone case are essential.
- How to Navigate the Subway When It's a River: Learn to dog paddle, or just wait it out. Your patience will be rewarded with a truly unique subway experience.
- How to Order Pizza When Your House is Flooded: Invest in a really long paddle. Or just order delivery.
- How to Find Higher Ground: Rooftop bars, anyone?
- How to Stay Dry (Mentally): Embrace the absurdity of it all. After all, what else can you do when your living room is a fish tank?
So, while New York City might be getting a little wetter than we'd like, it's still the city we love. Just remember to pack your raincoat. And maybe a life jacket. Just in case.