Climate Week 2026 - RIOC Advances Climate Resilience with Flood Risk Assessment for Roosevelt Island
ROOSEVELT ISLAND, NY - September 24, 2026: In recognition of Climate Week NYC 2026, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) is advancing efforts to strengthen Roosevelt Island’s long-term climate resilience through a comprehensive Flood Risk Assessment that will help identify vulnerabilities across the Island and inform future infrastructure investments.
Earlier this year, RIOC issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a qualified consultant team to conduct the assessment. The RFP closed in August, marking an important step toward developing a broader infrastructure resiliency strategy for the Island. The assessment is intended to provide the technical foundation for protecting Roosevelt Island’s essential infrastructure and will inform future planning efforts on the island, including a joint city and state study on the island’s next future.
The Flood Risk Assessment will examine Roosevelt Island’s exposure and susceptibility to coastal storm events, projected sea-level rise, extreme precipitation and cloudburst conditions. The work will include coastal, hydrodynamic and hydraulic modeling to identify potential flood extents, depths, velocities and associated risks, as well as an assessment of the Island’s drainage conditions and identification of infrastructure and structures that may be particularly vulnerable.
The assessment will also evaluate potential interim measures that could help mitigate near-term flood risks while longer-term capital improvements are developed. These may include deployable flood barriers, temporary berms or floodwalls, backflow preventers, emergency pumping strategies and operational and emergency response measures.
“Given that this neighborhood is an island situated in the middle of the East River, we must prepare it for a resilient future,” said RIOC President and CEO B.J. Jones. “This Flood Risk Assessment is a vital step towards ensuring that Roosevelt Island can withstand a rapidly changing climate.”
The need for continued resilience planning is informed by the Island’s experience with past extreme weather, including Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. Sandy caused significant damage particularly on the island’s northern end, including heavy flooding in Lighthouse Park and Coler Hospital. In the years since, RIOC has undertaken additional efforts to strengthen the Island’s waterfront infrastructure.
One example is the $11 million revitalization of Southpoint Park’s waterfront promenades, completed in 2021. The project included measures to strengthen approximately 1,600 linear feet of shoreline against future storm damage, along with new native landscaping. The project was developed in response to the vulnerabilities highlighted by Sandy and other extreme weather events.
Climate Week NYC 2026, taking place September 20–27, is focused on moving from climate ambition to implementation, with this year’s program highlighting the infrastructure, planning and other practical steps needed to strengthen communities and deliver climate action. RIOC’s Flood Risk Assessment reflects that same focus on translating long-term resilience goals into concrete planning and implementation.
The assessment will ultimately provide RIOC with a clearer understanding of the Island’s flood risks and help guide future planning, capital investments and resilience measures. Recommendations will be developed in alignment with best practices from New York City Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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About the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC):
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) was created in 1984 by the State of New York as a public benefit corporation with a mission to plan, design, develop, operate, and maintain Roosevelt Island. With a focus on innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, RIOC is committed to providing services that enhance the island's residential community. RIOC manages the island’s roads, parks, buildings, sports facility, and public transportation—including the iconic aerial tramway. Additionally, RIOC operates a Public Safety Department that helps maintain a safe and secure environment for residents, employees, business owners, and visitors.
Press Contacts:
Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC)
Bryant Daniels
Assistant Vice President, Communications & Government Affairs
347-398-4700
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