Irene could seriously impact NYC buildings

Hurricane Irene may cause serious damage to New York City buildings, Bloomberg News reported, as it threatens to bring strong winds and surging floodwaters.

Irene could be “a once-in-a-lifetime event if it goes according to the forecast,” said Jim Rosenbluth, managing director for crisis management at Cushman & Wakefield. Basements and lower levels of buildings close to the shore “would absolutely be at risk,” he said.

Lower Manhattan will be particularly prone to flooding if it creates a storm surge that pushes through the Verrazano Narrows, said Frank Edwards of Colliers International. That could also result in flooding along the Brooklyn shore, he said.

At the World Trade Center site, contractors have been instructed to tie down loose debris, cover electrical equipment, store tools and secure netting. Crews are preparing to use pumps and sandbags to control flooding, according to a statement by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. [Bloomberg]