The document discusses the impact of flooding and rising sea levels on Hoboken, emphasizing the vulnerability of coastal communities and infrastructure. It outlines a 9-point resiliency plan aimed at improving energy consistency, coastline protection, flood management, and communication systems, along with better emergency preparedness and zoning. The report highlights that effective federal and state leadership is essential to address these challenges.

1. Staying Afloat: Adapting Waterfront
Business to Rising Seas and Extreme Storms
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI
December 10, 2014
Stephen D. Marks
Municipal Manager
City of Hoboken, NJ
Lessons from Sandy and
Green Infrastructure Strategies

2. Welcome to
Hoboken

3. GENERAL
Population: 52,575
Households: 26,855
Real Property Ratable Base: $9.7 Billion
Area: 1.275 Square Miles
Landmass within Flood Zone (A): 63.85%
Landmass within Flood Zone (V): 7.41%
Landmass within Flood Zone (X): 7.66%
Hoboken NFIP Total Liability: $1,922,187,500
Hoboken NFIP Annual Premiums: $5,984,720
HURRICANE SANDY
FEMA (IA) Program: $100 million+
FEMA (PA) Program: $25 million+
SBA Program: $1.6 million
Flooded Homes + Businesses = >1,800
Automobiles Damaged/Destroyed = >2,000

4. 1. Flooding from more intense storms and sea level rise
will continue to adversely effect coastal communities .

5. 2. Tidal waterfronts are particularly vulnerable.

6. 3. Emergency Responders need better
Training, Equipment & Facilities.

7. 4. Electrical
Substations
Need to be
Elevated
and
Protected.

8. 5. Evacuation Routes Must Remain Passable.

9. 6. Transit Facilities need better Protection.

10. 7. Rolling Stock should be moved to higher ground
(Transit Agencies need better climate adaptation and
contingency plans).

11. 8. Communities cannot evacuate all residents before/during events.

13. 9. There is Not Enough Shelter Space
~ Emergency Shelters Should be Regionalized

14. 10. Small businesses are particularly at risk.

15. Not-so-Edible
Arrangements
PUMPING OUT
THE POURHOUSE

16. 11. Even major sectors &
industries are vulnerable.
Supply chain logistics are
fragile and subject to
disruption.

17. 12. Food and Fuel
Distribution Interrupted.

18. 13. Public Information Breakdown
(Public notice by message board and town hall meeting)

19. 14. Tele-communications Breakdown
(Cell phone service failures).

20. 15. After the Hurricane comes a Tsunami of Debris

21. 16. The problem demands Federal and State
Leadership and Resources

22. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
1. Energy Resiliency: Micro-grid
Energy Surety Design Methodology (“ESDM”)
USDOE Secretary Chu with FEMA Dep. Admin. Serino

23. Hoboken Micro Grid UBS/LBS
Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan

24. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
2. Coastline Protection: Armored Levees/Seawalls
Scheveningen, Netherlands

25. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
2. Coastline Protection: Armored Levees/Seawalls

26. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
3. Flood Management through Flood Pumps

27. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
4. Stormwater Management through
“Green Infrastructure”

28. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
Dry weather Wet weather
4. Stormwater Management through
“Green Infrastructure” continued

29. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
4. Multi-functional Public Spaces
Park with Stormwater Retention
Dry weather
Wet weather

30. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
4. Multi-functional Public Spaces
Park with Parking Garage and Flood Storage

31. Southwest ‐ Block 12
Designed to manage a 10 year
storm event (5” of rain/ 200,000
gallons of stormwater)
Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
4. Multi-functional Public Spaces
Park with Stormwater Retention

32. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
5. Resilient Communication Systems
Wifi enabled kiosks (“Milemesh”)

33. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
6. Floodproof Critical Community Facilities

34. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
7. Resilient Zoning & Building Codes

35. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
8. Public Information Campaign
Emergency Preparedness Begins at Home

36. Hoboken’s 9 Point Resiliency Plan
9. Resiliency Task Force / CERT Team

37. THANK YOU
Stephen D. Marks
@SDMarksNJ