The document summarizes climate risks facing the city of Hoboken, New Jersey and steps the city is taking to increase resilience. Key points include: - 80% of Hoboken is at risk of flooding and 1,800 homes were flooded during Hurricane Sandy. - Rising sea levels and stronger storms due to climate change are increasing flood risks. - Hoboken adopted stricter flood maps than required and is pursuing flood walls, pumps, and elevated critical infrastructure to reduce flood risks. - The city is also updating land use and development rules to encourage flood-resilient construction and limit impervious surfaces.

1. Eyes Wide Open…Or Shut?
Integrating Climate Risk
into Decision-Making

2. City of HobokenCity of Hoboken
Total land mass of 1.28 square milesTotal land mass of 1.28 square miles
Bordered on the west by the Palisade Cliffs; onBordered on the west by the Palisade Cliffs; on
the north by the Lincoln Tunnel; on the south bythe north by the Lincoln Tunnel; on the south by
the Holland Tunnel; and on the east by thethe Holland Tunnel; and on the east by the
Hudson RiverHudson River
Home to 52,000 residentsHome to 52,000 residents
80% of the city is in the SFHA80% of the city is in the SFHA
1,800 homes were under-water during Hurricane1,800 homes were under-water during Hurricane
SandySandy
175 identified as Sever Repetitive Loss175 identified as Sever Repetitive Loss
propertiesproperties

4. City of HobokenCity of Hoboken
Incorporated in 1855Incorporated in 1855
Significant portion of the housing stockSignificant portion of the housing stock
dates back to the 1800s, early 1900sdates back to the 1800s, early 1900s
Attached row houses; 2-5 story single-Attached row houses; 2-5 story single-
family and multi-family buildingsfamily and multi-family buildings
Elevating these structures is not an optionElevating these structures is not an option

5. City of HobokenCity of Hoboken
The city is subject to two types of flooding:The city is subject to two types of flooding:

Storm surge – coastal inundation; andStorm surge – coastal inundation; and

Ponding from sheet flow and storm sewerPonding from sheet flow and storm sewer
overflowoverflow
26 CSO flooding events from 2002 to26 CSO flooding events from 2002 to
20122012

6. Hoboken got lucky during Sandy…Hoboken got lucky during Sandy…

7. Climate RisksClimate Risks
Sea level rise will have an immediate and directSea level rise will have an immediate and direct
effect on the number and severity of coastaleffect on the number and severity of coastal
flooding eventsflooding events
Warming ocean temperatures are resulting inWarming ocean temperatures are resulting in
more frequent, and more powerful stormsmore frequent, and more powerful storms
Increased temps facilitate travel of hurricanesIncreased temps facilitate travel of hurricanes
and tropical storms with paths shifting furtherand tropical storms with paths shifting further
northnorth
The northeast has becoming the new mid-The northeast has becoming the new mid-
Atlantic regionAtlantic region

9. Getting Ahead of the CurveGetting Ahead of the Curve
In just 14 months, Hoboken was hit with 2In just 14 months, Hoboken was hit with 2
events greater the a 1% chance floodevents greater the a 1% chance flood
Other environmental conditions that increaseOther environmental conditions that increase
risk:risk:

Aging infrastructureAging infrastructure

High percentage of impervious coverHigh percentage of impervious cover

High residential densityHigh residential density

High percentage of at-risk populationsHigh percentage of at-risk populations

Limited mobility outside of mass transitLimited mobility outside of mass transit

Geographic and structural barriers to evacuationGeographic and structural barriers to evacuation
FEMA Base Flood Elevation is not forwardFEMA Base Flood Elevation is not forward
thinking enoughthinking enough

10. Getting Ahead of the CurveGetting Ahead of the Curve
Hoboken chose to adopt the FEMA AdvisoryHoboken chose to adopt the FEMA Advisory
Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) maps instead ofBase Flood Elevation (ABFE) maps instead of
the working maps or Preliminary FIRMsthe working maps or Preliminary FIRMs
because:because:

The Preliminary FIRMs lowered flood elevation 1 to 2’The Preliminary FIRMs lowered flood elevation 1 to 2’
compared to the ABFE Maps; andcompared to the ABFE Maps; and

Reduced the boundaries of the floodplainReduced the boundaries of the floodplain
Added a Freeboard requirementAdded a Freeboard requirement

Incremental requirement from 1 to 3’ depending onIncremental requirement from 1 to 3’ depending on
useuse
Restricted the use of fill for all new constructionRestricted the use of fill for all new construction
Added a definitive restriction on buildings onAdded a definitive restriction on buildings on
piers and platforms in the V-zonepiers and platforms in the V-zone

11. Next StepsNext Steps
City will pursue structural flood mitigationCity will pursue structural flood mitigation
measuresmeasures

Integrated flood walls and gates to prevent stormIntegrated flood walls and gates to prevent storm
surge inundation;surge inundation;

Additional wet weather pumps to evacuate water fromAdditional wet weather pumps to evacuate water from
the CSO during rain and coastal flooding events;the CSO during rain and coastal flooding events;

Elevation of critical facilities where possible; i.e.Elevation of critical facilities where possible; i.e.
electrical sub-stationselectrical sub-stations

Hardening of critical facilities that cannot be elevated;Hardening of critical facilities that cannot be elevated;
generators, multi-source power grid, communicationsgenerators, multi-source power grid, communications
infrastructureinfrastructure

12. Next StepsNext Steps
Develop and adopt design specifications for:Develop and adopt design specifications for:

Construction materials and methods;Construction materials and methods;

Back flow prevention;Back flow prevention;

Back up power / emergency generator requirements;Back up power / emergency generator requirements;

Stormwater regulations; on-site detention andStormwater regulations; on-site detention and
retention requirements; limitations on sewer tie-ins;retention requirements; limitations on sewer tie-ins;
green-roof incentives; bio-swales and rain gardens;green-roof incentives; bio-swales and rain gardens;
underground retention for delayed discharge;underground retention for delayed discharge;

Limits on impervious cover;Limits on impervious cover;

Incentives for adaptation and voluntaryIncentives for adaptation and voluntary
implementation of stormwater detention where notimplementation of stormwater detention where not
required.required.

13. Next StepsNext Steps
Update land use regulations to allow for:Update land use regulations to allow for:

Transfer of occupancy; modify heightTransfer of occupancy; modify height
restrictions to permit property owners to buildrestrictions to permit property owners to build
up if they eliminate occupancy on floor(s)up if they eliminate occupancy on floor(s)
below design flood elevationbelow design flood elevation

At-grade uses are currently restricted inAt-grade uses are currently restricted in
residential zones – need to amend zoning toresidential zones – need to amend zoning to
maintain an active streetscape and street lifemaintain an active streetscape and street life
in a highly walk-able cityin a highly walk-able city

14. Next StepsNext Steps
RedevelopmentRedevelopment
planning with an eyeplanning with an eye
to reducing floodingto reducing flooding

Multi-purpose openMulti-purpose open
spacespace

Green and sustainableGreen and sustainable
buildingsbuildings

Integrated net-positiveIntegrated net-positive
stormwaterstormwater
managementmanagement

15. Next StepsNext Steps
Work with State and Federal agencies to adoptWork with State and Federal agencies to adopt
an urban strategyan urban strategy

Alternatives to elevating buildings where elevation isAlternatives to elevating buildings where elevation is
not an option;not an option;

Wet-proofing standards for residential andWet-proofing standards for residential and
commercial uses;commercial uses;

Dry-proofing standards for existing residential uses;Dry-proofing standards for existing residential uses;

NFIP recognition of multi-family structures, verticalNFIP recognition of multi-family structures, vertical
and high density living, and garden apartments asand high density living, and garden apartments as
principal dwellings;principal dwellings;

Relocation and elevation of utilitiesRelocation and elevation of utilities

16. Resiliency Planning; a Long-termResiliency Planning; a Long-term
ApproachApproach
Green Building and Sustainability Master PlanGreen Building and Sustainability Master Plan
Rebuild by Design; partnership with OMARebuild by Design; partnership with OMA

Resist - Delay – Store – DischargeResist - Delay – Store – Discharge
Green Infrastructure Strategic Plan; partnership withGreen Infrastructure Strategic Plan; partnership with
Together North JerseyTogether North Jersey

Detention – Infiltration – RetentionDetention – Infiltration – Retention
Energy Grid; partnership with Greener by DesignEnergy Grid; partnership with Greener by Design
Post Sandy Disaster Recovery Plan; partnership withPost Sandy Disaster Recovery Plan; partnership with
Princeton HydroPrinceton Hydro

Strategic planning, Engineering, Capital Improvement StrategiesStrategic planning, Engineering, Capital Improvement Strategies

Code updates, Design StandardsCode updates, Design Standards

Emergency management and operations planningEmergency management and operations planning

17. All Politics Are Local…All Politics Are Local…
Avoid election seasonAvoid election season
Re-district to assure that all members of the governingRe-district to assure that all members of the governing
body have constituents in the Special Flood Hazard Areabody have constituents in the Special Flood Hazard Area
Know your numbersKnow your numbers
Get the support and endorsement of your firstGet the support and endorsement of your first
responders: police, fire, OEM and CERT teamsresponders: police, fire, OEM and CERT teams
Enlist local residents who have suffered propertyEnlist local residents who have suffered property
damage to lead the chargedamage to lead the charge
Enlist your early adapters; informed residents, localEnlist your early adapters; informed residents, local
action groups, college and university studentsaction groups, college and university students
Don’t give up; if at first you don’t succeed…Don’t give up; if at first you don’t succeed…