After a recent torrential downpour, New York City officials warned about the long-term need to adapt aging infrastructure to climate change. Rohit Aggarwala, the city's chief climate officer, noted that the storm is part of a pattern of intense rainstorms, with five of the most severe occurring in the past four years. In the storm, Harlem received 2.64 inches of rain while Central Park had its second-highest one-hour rainfall ever. This deluge overwhelmed the sewer system, designed for significantly less rainfall, prompting calls for increased stormwater capacity which could take 30 years to realize.
The storm brought 2.64 inches of rain to Harlem, while Central Park recorded its second-highest one-hour rainfall on record, trailing only the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
Rohit Aggarwala stated that adapting the city's aging infrastructure to a rapidly changing climate will take decades and cost billions of dollars.
During the storm's peak, rain fell at a rate of 4.08 inches per hour, overwhelming the city's sewer system that is designed for 1.75 inches per hour.
Officials have stated that increasing the capacity of the stormwater management system will require an estimated 30 years.
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