Thread by @EricHolthaus

Important reporting tonight from @abbiev44 for @currently, following up on this thread from @LAShepard221 and reporting from @katie_honan.

NYC officials knew of the deadly risk of a catastrophic flooding event on people who live in basement apartments.

https://twitter.com/LAShepard221/status/1433937294180950023

“There’s no doubt that the storm was worse because of climate change, but where it hit, where people died, could have been anticipated. It’s a consequence of over a century of development practices, and land stewardship,” says @LAShepard221.

getrevue.co/profile/curren…

In New York City at least 43 people were killed in the floods caused by Hurricane Ida, many of whom lived in basement apartments. In NYC basement apartments or “illegal conversions” are often not up to safety code and rented out without the inspections.

“People live in basement apartments all over New York City, it’s pretty common.” says @LAShepard221, “Often it’s [rented out to] recent immigrants or really low-income people who don’t have many options.”

“I hope this was a real wake-up call. We need to take serious action on climate change ... and also to really address the local infrastructure issues that impact the most vulnerable,” says @LAShepard221. “A lot of these communities have been systemically underfunded for decades.”

If you'd like to help Queens flooding survivors rebuild and seek transformative change and climate justice after Hurricane Ida, @deeptinyc is organizing a gofundme campaign:

https://twitter.com/LAShepard221/status/1435716403609448450

Currently members make reporting like this possible. @Currently is 100% member funded, 100% independent weather and climate journalism, with a mission of climate justice and inclusivity across languages and geographies.

Become a Founding Member today:
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