New Jersey

What New York Can Do to Survive Flooding

Published

4 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

What New York Can Do to Survive Flooding

New York is experiencing extreme rainfall events with increasing frequency and intensity, according to a 2024 study in Nature.

Since 1970, the city’s stormwater system has been built to handle up to 1.75 inches of rain per hour. Hourly precipitation recorded by Central Park’s rain gauge didn’t exceed this limit until 1995. It’s been eclipsed in three of the last five years.

Annual maximum hourly rainfall at Central Park

One major problem is how little of that rainfall is absorbed or stored before reaching the stormwater system. A whole suite of solutions focuses on building and expanding the city’s capacity to do so.

Understanding New York’s historical environment is crucial to imagining a more resilient urban future, one based on the city’s past topography, according to Eric Sanderson, a landscape ecologist and vice president for Urban Conservation Strategy at the New York Botanical Garden and the author of “Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City.”

“I was trying to imagine a configuration of the landscape that could work with the understanding of climate change at the time,” Sanderson said of his book. “Part of that is restoring streams, wetlands and agricultural lands, connecting the urbanized parts of the city, and depaving a lot of what we have.”

He and a team of researchers have spent years reconstructing the past ecological landscape of the city, producing data that they hope will inform its future.

Embracing absorption could allow the city to restore those natural features, allowing floodwater places to drain.

Rain gardens, curbside planted pits designed to siphon water away from drainage systems, and permeable pavement are already turning streets and sidewalks into sponges. And as part of its Cloudburst program, the city is designing parks and public spaces to flood intentionally, enhancing their innate ability to act as natural catch basins. The first to be completed, a basketball court in South Jamaica, Queens, recently opened.

Rain gardens in Gowanus, Brooklyn, absorb and redirect water away from the sewage system.

Lucía Vázquez for The New York Times

A basketball court in Jamaica, Queens, can contain up to two feet of flood water, which drains into an underground storage tank.

Lucía Vázquez for The New York Times

But these initiatives are in their infancy. Only a handful of Cloudburst sites have been identified, and the need is most likely far greater: Sanderson and his team mapped out 540 potential locations.

Policymakers have offered several incentives to private property owners, making it easier for real estate developers to install green infrastructure. Similarly, waterfront properties above a certain size are now required to provide stormwater solutions.

Sewer and storage upgrades are also on the table. In Gowanus, Brooklyn, Department of Environmental Protection engineers recently installed an eight-million-gallon underground tank at an artificial canal, redirecting water that would otherwise flood the space. The agency is planning another tank, and once it is complete, a new public park will sit on top of it.

Then there’s daylighting, in which onetime waterways, covered by buildings, pavement and landfill, are unearthed and restored, allowing floodwater to go elsewhere.

A project at Tibbetts Brook in the Bronx will test the concept. Concrete and other artificial materials will be removed to reroute water aboveground and into a dedicated underground pipe, reducing sewer overflow that ends up in the Harlem River.

Tibbetts Brook in the Bronx currently drains into an underground tunnel and, eventually, into the sewage system.

Lucía Vázquez for The New York Times

A more dramatic example of leveraging the city’s natural landscape is the successful Bluebelt project in Staten Island, which strings together streams, ponds and wetlands — some natural, some engineered. It has already reduced flooding in parts of the borough.

But for greater effect, the city will have to rapidly expand this work to feasible locations. “Our imaginations have not caught up to what nature can and will do,” Sanderson said.

On a recent tour of the Staten Island Bluebelts, Rohit Aggarwala, the commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, said the agency had listed 86 “priority areas” citywide for flood mitigation. “We’re asking, ‘What is the solution for this specific place?’” he said.

That work has its hurdles, though, and not every part of the city is as spacious as Staten Island. A major overhaul of local sewer capacity in Bushwick, Brooklyn, for example, will cost $390 million and take years. Expect disruption, Aggarwala said: “The residents will be less happy when they find out how long Knickerbocker Avenue will have to be ripped up.”

But for too long, he added, the city’s work was not focused enough on the future: “We have to build for 2075, not 1975.”

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New Jersey

New Jersey Super 25 rankings heading into sectional finals | Football

Published

5 hours ago

November 11, 2025

Press Room

New Jersey Super 25 rankings heading into sectional finals | Football

Only 56 high school football teams are still alive in New Jersey.

As we head into the public sectional finals and non-public state quarterfinals, one new team rejoined the New Jersey Super 25 rankings.

Shabazz returns for the first time since early September after winning its seventh straight game and returning to a sectional final.

This week features four games between ranked teams: No. 23 Millville at No. 4 Winslow in South Group 4, No. 19 Kingsway at No. 12 Atlantic City in South Group 5, No. 13 Northern Highlands at No. 10 Ramapo in North Group 4, and No. 16 St. Joseph (Metuchen) at No. 3 Bergen Catholic in Non-Public A.

Every week, voters from across USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey rank the top teams in the state. The rankings are posted every Tuesday morning.

25. Shabazz (9-1)

Karriem Coston threw four touchdown passes as the Bulldogs shut out Rutherford, 47-0, in the North 2, Group 2 sectional semifinals. Coston also ran for a 5-yard touchdown in the second quarter to build a 34-0 halftime lead. Shabazz has not allowed more than 21 points in any of their victories in 2025.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Madison (7-3)

24. Mount Olive (8-2)

Quarterback Frank Gallo’s 1-yard touchdown prevented a shutout in a 20-7 loss to Northern Highlands in the North 1, Group 4 sectional semifinals on Nov. 7. The 20 points allowed by the Marauders were the most surrendered in a month. Mount Olive has now reached the sectional semifinals in four of the last five seasons.

Next game: Season complete

23. Millville (6-4)

The Thunderbolts checked into their fifth consecutive sectional final with a 42-0 rout of Northern Burlington in the South Group 4 semifinals. Robert O’Connor fired four touchdown passes and has 13 TD throws in his last four games. Millville has won five straight games and has outscored its opponents 91-7 in two postseason contests.

Next game: Nov. 15 at Winslow (11-0)

22. Holmdel (8-2)

Senior quarterback Jack Cannon continued his sensational season as he accounted for a school single-game record nine TDs as the Hornets set a school-record for points in a game in a 65-42 win over Neptune in a Central Group 3 semifinal. Holmdel advanced to a sectional final for the first time since 1991 and just the second time in its history. Cannon compiled 431 yards of total offense.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Seneca (9-2)

21. Brick Memorial (9-2)

Senior running back Nazeer Whittaker ran for a career-high 237 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Mustangs beat Steinert, 40-7, in a Central Group 4 semifinal. Senior quarterback Jason Lajara ran for three touchdowns as Brick Memorial advanced to a sectional championship game for the second straight season. The Mustangs have won six straight.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Middletown North (5-4)

20. Donovan Catholic (8-3)

Junior running back Ethan Nicolas ran for 133 yards and three touchdowns as the Griffins’ ran their winning streak to seven with a 49-21 win over Notre Dame in the Non-Public B first round. Junior quarterback Kahden Davis completed 11 of 21 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Holy Spirit (6-3)

19. Kingsway (9-2)

The Dragons went on the road and returned to Woolwich Township with a 28-7 upset win over Southern in the South Group 5 semifinals. Cole DeNick rushed for a pair of touchdowns, quarterback David Oravetz ran for a score and Mason Bryan recorded a pick-six to power Kingsway. The Dragons are chasing the program’s third sectional title and will try to match the 2001 and 2021 squads.

Next game: Nov. 14 at Atlantic City (9-1)

18. Phillipsburg (9-1)

The Stateliners reached their fourth consecutive sectional final with a 35-7 win over Colonia in North 2, Group 4. The defending champs opened a 21-7 lead at halftime on three short Tyler Wargo runs. Sam Dech sealed the win via two scoring scampers in the second half and finished with 217 rushing yards on 23 carries.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Montgomery (8-3)

17. Camden (8-2)

The Panthers checked into the Central Group 2 championship with a 46-6 victory over Manasquan. Senior quarterback Ahmad Jones continued his torrid streak with 304 passing yards and five touchdowns. Jones has thrown for 900 yards and 14 touchdowns with no picks in his last three games. Camden has won four games in a row, outscoring opponents 159-20 over the span, including 99-6 in two postseason tilts.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Wall (8-2)

16. St. Joseph (Metuchen) (8-1)

The Falcons look to bounce back in the Non-Public A quarterfinals after suffering their first loss of the season on Oct. 31 against Donovan Catholic. St. Joseph, which didn’t play last week, won its first eight games by outscoring opponents by an average of 30-9 per contest. Justin Scaramuzzo has thrown for 1,045 yards and has a team-high 561 rushing yards.

Next game: Nov. 15 at Bergen Catholic (7-2)

15. Red Bank Catholic (10-1)

Freshman running back Gabe Kemp ran for 77 yards and freshman quarterback Rahmir Rivera threw two touchdown passes as the Caseys defeated Hudson Catholic, 41-0, in the Non-Public B first round. Sophomore Jason Berecsky returned an interception 49 yards for a TD, and sophomore Asher Cummins recovered a blocked punt in the end zone. It was Red Bank Catholic’s second straight 41-0 win.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Paul VI (5-4)

14. Paramus Catholic (4-6)

The Paladins, who are seeded No. 2 in Non-Public B and had a first-round bye in the 14-team bracket, last won a state title in 2016. Senior Marco Green, slowed by injury, and sophomore Rowan Martin have combined for 2,197 yards passing and 17 TDs. Senior Achylles DuPont leads a balanced run game with 533 yards and seven scores.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Immaculata (9-2)

13. Northern Highlands (8-2)

The Highlanders nearly posted a shutout in a 20-7 victory over then-No. 14 Mount Olive in a North 1, Group 4 semifinal. Junior Tucker Kanning rushed for 115 yards and two TDs, and senior Chase Calarco ran for 89 yards and a score. Senior Jack O’Callaghan threw for 112 yards. Calarco made nine tackles and Kanning made eight.

Next game: Nov. 14 at Ramapo (9-1)

12. Atlantic City (9-1)

The Vikings took down three-time defending state champion Toms River North with a 42-0 rout in a South Group 5 semifinal. Sophomore quarterback Marvin Burroughs threw for 274 yards and four touchdowns, surpassing 2,200 yards for the season. Atlantic City has rolled out seven straight wins, including three by shutout. The team has allowed seven points over its last three games.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Kingsway (9-2)

11. West Morris (11-0)

Mike Finlay rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-7 win over Roxbury in the North 2, Group 3 sectional semifinals. The Wolfpack are headed to a sectional final for the fourth time in five seasons. They won three straight crowns from 2021-23. West Morris has allowed 13 total points in the sectional playoffs.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Summit (9-2)

10. Ramapo (9-1)

The Green Raiders broke 40 points for the sixth time with a 48-20 win over Wayne Valley in a North 1, Group 4 semifinal. Senior Casey Grusser passed for 196 yards, with two TD passes to Joseph Yessis and one each to fellow seniors Michael Ballan and Sal Livoti. Junior Jack Schneider returned an interception 44 yards for a score.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Northern Highlands (8-2)

9. DePaul (5-4)

The Spartans are the defending Non-Public B champion and No. 1 seed, and had a first-round bye. Senior Derek Zammit has thrown for 1,674 yards and 10 TDs, and rushed for 641 yards and five scores. Senior Marquan Carter has run for 582 yards and six scores. Senior Mason James has 24 receptions for 584 yards and six scores.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. St. John Vianney (5-5)

8. Glassboro (11-0)

Make it 24 consecutive wins for the Bulldogs, and eight shutouts this season, after the team’s 35-0 win over Salem in a South Group 1 semifinal. The team is one shutout away from tying the South Jersey record for shutouts in a season held by the 1917 Millville squad. The state record is 10 held by the 1904 Newark Academy team. Glassboro has surrendered 40 points in 11 games, including 20 to Haddonfield in the season opener.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Schalick (5-6)

7. Washington Township (11-0)

The Minutemen tied a program record with their 11th win thanks to a 44-26 triumph over Rancocas Valley in a Central Group 5 semifinal. Senior Andrew Osborn blocked a punt, recovered two fumbles and rushed for a touchdown for Township. Senior quarterback Cole Aquino threw for two touchdowns as he earned the school records for TD passes in a season with 19 and career TDs thrown with 44.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Old Bridge (10-1)

6. Old Tappan (10-0)

The defending Group 3 state champions earned their second consecutive shutout, 40-0, over West Milford in a North 1, Group 3 semifinal. Junior Zach Miceli threw TD passes of 28 and 12 yards to senior Joey Crescitelli, and ran for a score. Junior Christakis Nicolaou returned the second-half kickoff 87 yards for a TD for the top-seeded Golden Knights.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Wayne Hills (9-2)

5. St. Peter’s Prep (7-2)

The Marauders are seeded No. 2 in Non-Public A and won their last state title in 2019. Senior Tyler Bell has thrown for 1,514 yards and 24 TDs, and senior Hunter Watson has 38 catches for 769 yards and 14 scores. Junior Adbul Turay has rushed for 741 yards and five TDs, and senior Tyler Barksdale has run for 435 yards and six scores.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. St. Augustine (6-3)

4. Winslow (9-2)

The defending Group 4 state champions knocked off Shawnee 47-7 to advance to the South Group 4 final. The Eagles have won eight in a row, scoring 41 or more points in six of those games including each of the last five contests. Junior quarterback Jalen Parker threw for four touchdowns, giving him 34 TD passes for the season and 98 for his career, moving him into second place on New Jersey’s all-time list past Butler’s Scott Brown (96, 1997).

Next game: Nov. 15 vs. Millville (6-4)

3. Bergen Catholic (7-2)

The Crusaders are seeded No. 4 in Non-Public A and are the four-time defending state champion. Sophomore Trey Tagliaferri has thrown for 1,991 yards and 23 TDs. Sophomore Austin Busso has 40 receptions for 864 yards and 10 scores. Senior Najee Calhoun has rushed for 621 yards and 10 TDs. Senior Joshua Cruz has a team-best 56 tackles.

Next game: Nov. 15 vs. St. Joseph (Metuchen) (8-1)

2. St. Joseph (Montvale) (7-2)

The Green Knights are seeded No. 3 in Non-Public A and last won a state title in 2018. Senior Mason Geis has replaced injured senior Lamar Best, and he threw for 274 yards and four TDs in last month’s 43-42 overtime win over Bergen Catholic. Senior Nate Bailey is a running and receiving threat. Senior Kyshawn Bryant has rushed for nine TDs.

Next game: Nov. 15 vs. Delbarton (4-5)

1. Don Bosco (9-0)

The Ironmen are the No. 1 seed in Non-Public A and won their last state title in 2015. They have outscored opponents, 257-82. Sophomore Carson Schoen has thrown for 1,118 yards and 10 TDs. Senior Dante DeLuca and sophomore Ca’Si Thomas have combined for 835 rushing yards and 10 scores. Senior Jack DeMenna has five interceptions.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Seton Hall Prep (3-6)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES (listed alphabetically): Burlington Township (10-1), Mainland (7-4), West Orange (9-2), Westwood (10-1)

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New Jersey

Police investigate car collision, shooting in Orange, New Jersey

Published

2 days ago

November 9, 2025

Press Room

Police investigate car collision, shooting in Orange, New Jersey

ORANGE, New Jersey (WABC) — State police are at the scene of a shooting in Orange, New Jersey.

It happened Sunday afternoon near I-280 Exit 11 westbound. An Acura collided with a black Mercedes near the exit ramp. The Acura was reportedly being pursued by state police.

Witnesses say they heard an exchange of gunfire between the Acura and state police.

“I was picking up delivery and then I came through here and I just heard a bunch of sirens, tires squealing…and then there was a slight collision. and then i just heard gunshots, like rapid amounts of gunshots,” said Zach McDowell.

The shell casings on the scene penetrated the Acura.

Someone who spoke with the driver of the Mercedes claims the driver was in the wrong place at the wrong time during the collision. They also said there were children in the car who were taken to the hospital. There is no word on their conditions.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unknown.

The New Jersey Attorney General’s office is also investigating.

Exit 11 on I-280 is closed during the investigation.

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New Jersey

The Glorious Sounds of Brass to Take Place in Trenton

Published

2 days ago

November 9, 2025

Press Room

The Glorious Sounds of Brass to Take Place in Trenton

originally published: 11/08/2025

(TRENTON, NJ) — The Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey‘s Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Series presents The Glorious Sounds of Brass on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Trenton. The event begins at 3:00pm.

Join them for an afternoon of brilliant brass music in the stunning acoustics of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church. This lively and engaging concert features a dynamic brass quartet performing favorites from the classical and popular repertoire—along with personal stories and musical insights that make this event a true audience favorite.

Whether you’re a brass enthusiast or simply love great live music, this concert is sure to uplift and entertain!

Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students. Tickets are available for purchase online. St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church is located at· 335 Adeline Street in Trenton, New Jersey.

The Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey is a professional symphony orchestra dedicated to enriching the community through classical music performances. Based in Trenton, New Jersey, the ensemble offers a diverse repertoire ranging from timeless classics to contemporary works, aiming to inspire and engage audiences of all ages. The orchestra also emphasizes educational programs and community outreach to foster a love for music throughout the region.

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Founded in 2013 with the goal of making Trenton a culturally integrated musical hub, their mission is to enhance the quality of life in the Greater Trenton area, preserve the city’s classical music heritage, and contribute to its economic renaissance through their diverse programming, chamber music series and community outreach.

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