Press

New Mapping Feature Details Impact Risk for Hurricane Irene

By , in Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Deanna Morton, InfiniTech
P. 516.829.5502
dmorton@infinitechpronline.com

New Mapping Feature from the Long Island Index and CUNY Details Impact Risk as Long Island and Metro Area Braces for Hurricane Irene

For Coastal Storm Impact Risk Go To www.longislandindexmaps.org 

Garden City, NY (August 26, 2011) – The Long Island Index, in collaboration with the CUNY Mapping Service at the Center for Urban Research, CUNY Graduate Center, has developed a new map layer on its website (www.longislandindexmaps.org) that details coastal storm impact zones and areas on Long Island likely to be impacted by Hurricane Irene of different wind strengths (category 1-4). Follow these simple steps to find the maps:

  1. Go to longislandindexmaps.org
  2. Use the “Zoom to Village” list above the map to zoom in to your community
  3. This will display a color-code map of areas at greatest risk of storm impacts – yellow areas would be impacted by storms with winds 75 mph or more, dark red areas would be impacted by storms with winds above 130 mph.

The following color shading represents the zones:

  • A Category 1 storm (impact areas shown on the map in yellow) means winds of 74-95 mph.
  • A Category 2 storm (impact areas shown on the map in light orange) means winds of 96-110 mph.
  • A Category 3 storm (impact areas shown on the map in dark orange) means winds of 111-130 mph.
  • A Category 4 storm (impact areas shown on the map in red) means winds of 131 mph or more.

According to Steven Romalewski of the CUNY Mapping Service, “It’s critical to provide the public with information about where the storm’s impact might be greatest. The updated Long Island Index map provides a valuable public service by helping Long Islanders plan for the worst as we brace for the storm.” The CUNY Mapping Service developed the map in collaboration with the Long Island Index Project.

About the Rauch Foundation: The Long Island Index is funded by the Rauch Foundation, a family foundation headquartered in Garden City, New York. In addition to funding the Long Island Index for eight years the Rauch Foundation commissioned The Long Island Profile Report and a series of six polls on Long Island to determine how the region is faring compared to other suburbs in the NY Metro area. The polls include (1) “Long Islanders: Who Are We?”, (2) “Caring for Long Island’s Children”, (3) “Room for Growth: Long Island’s Changing Economy”, (4) “Where Do We Grow From Here? Land Use on Long Island”, (5) “Regional Attitudes on Taxation and Governance”, and (6) Long Island Looks to the Future: Housing Alternatives and Downtown Development.” The Long Island Index 2004, Long Island Index 2005, Long Island Index 2006, Long Island Index 2007, Long Island Index 2008, Long Island Index 2009, Long Island Index 2010 and Long Island Index 2011 are all available for download at www.longislandindex.org. The Long Island Index interactive maps, an online resource with detailed demographic, residential, transportation and educational information, is also accessible from the Index’s website.

About the Center for Urban Research: Working with CUNY Graduate Center faculty and students, the Center for Urban Research (CUR) organizes basic research on the critical issues that face New York and other large cities in the U.S. and abroad, collaborates on applied research with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other partners, and holds forums for the media, foundations, community organizations and others about urban research at the Graduate Center and the City University. The CUNY Mapping Service at CUR assists organizations in realizing the geographic and mapping dimensions of their activities. The Center’s website is www.urbanresearch.org. 

About CUNY Graduate Center: The Graduate Center is the doctorate-granting institution of The City University of New York (CUNY). An internationally recognized center for advanced studies and a national model for public doctoral education, the school offers more than thirty doctoral programs, as well as a number of master’s programs. Many of its faculty members are among the world’s leading scholars in their respective fields, and its alumni hold major positions in industry and government, as well as in academia. The Graduate Center is also home to 28 interdisciplinary research centers and institutes focused on areas of compelling social, civic, cultural, and scientific concerns. Located in a landmark Fifth Avenue building, The Graduate Center has become a vital part of New York City’s intellectual and cultural life with its extensive array of public lectures, exhibitions, concerts, and theatrical events. Further information on The Graduate Center and its programs can be found at www.gc.cuny.edu.