Source: Governors Island Blog
Cleanup following Superstorm Sandy
al feet of topsoil to further elevate the site and allow trees to be planted well above rising waters. Impact of Sandy During the storm, floodwaters peaked at almost 13 feet above the mean sea level, equa ng to five to seven feet of storm surge over the exis ng seawall on the southern side of the island. Shipping containers, flotsam, jetsam, and other debris washed over the seawall and could be found throughout the southern end following the storm. Nonetheless, Governors Island made it through the storm rela vely unscathed. The natural topography at the northern end of the islands protected the buildings as expected. The eleva on of much of the southern end of the island helped to minimize storm damage. Contractors parked their construc on equipment on the elevated fill material, which protected them from flooding.
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Lessons Learned Measures to address rising sea levels and more intense storms, incorporated into West 8’s design strategy, proved to be worthwhile during the storm. The elevaon of low-lying areas was crucial to protect the new park site from storm surge, debris, and flooding. West 8 and The Trust for Governors Island will con nue to implement stormmi ga on elements in the design and construc on of Governors Island park and public spaces. For example, the Island’s landscaping plan will place trees less tolerant of salt intrusions, such as those in Hammock Grove, at the higher eleva ons and more salt-tolerant species, such as London Plane, at the perimeter. Park ameni es able to withstand storm surges and flooding, including street lights and benches, are being selected in order to minimize damage and ensure park safety a er a storm.
In order to ease the force of waves during intense storms, the Trust will replace the seawall along the Island’s southern and western edges with a new rip-rap revetment, built with large boulders. A second barrier – a precast concrete “seatwall” that will provide both erosion control and sea ng for visitors – will be constructed along the park’s western edge. The seatwall will further mi gate the water’s energy in case of a storm surge, thereby minimizing erosion. The so ening of the edges will not only aid in mi ga ng the effects of major storm surges, but will also promote quicker drainage of floodwaters.