Strengthening infrastructure against flood risk in the wake of NYC’s flash flooding
Posted by: electime 12th September 2025
By Nick Benyon, Global Product Manager, SLAYSON
Intense rainfall submerged roads and flooded parts of the subway network recently in New York City and New Jersey. Tragically, two people lost their lives as the cities saw two inches of rainfall within half an hour – its second-ever highest hourly rainfall. And now there are tsunami risk warnings for the US west coast too.
Unfortunately, events like these are becoming less of an anomaly and more of a recurring challenge in major cities worldwide. These flash floods are putting pressure on infrastructure that was never designed to handle such extremes.
But while above-ground flooding draws public attention, some of the most vulnerable systems are hidden from view. Here’s how engineers can strengthen infrastructure against flood risk…
Below the surface, risks multiply
Flooding can cause disruption and damage at street level, but the most severe impact often occurs beneath the surface. Transit systems, power networks, telecommunications and data infrastructure are all highly vulnerable to such conditions.
Many of these assets sit in confined, moisture-prone environments. They’re often exposed to constant vibration, temperature shifts and electromagnetic interference from nearby equipment.
Water ingress, whether from leaks, floods or condensation, poses a real threat to electronic components. Once inside, even small amounts of moisture can lead to serious failures.
In these settings, space is often limited, making it harder to accommodate protective measures. These are not forgiving environments, and equipment must be able to operate reliably under tough conditions.
Building resilience into the details
Much of the conversation around flood mitigation focuses on large-scale solutions, such as levees, stormwater systems and pump stations. While these are essential, they can be overwhelmed. When that happens, it’s the smaller systems, like control panels, monitoring units and communication devices, that determine whether services stay up or go offline.
Well-designed enclosures can make all the difference. For critical equipment in flood-prone or high-humidity locations, selecting compact, watertight and corrosion-resistant enclosures helps prevent disruption. Protection against EMI and the ability to perform in vibration-heavy environments are also key considerations.
Historically, many systems have relied on IP66-rated plastic enclosures, a standard that, under increasingly extreme and prolonged submersion events, is often no longer sufficient. In high-risk environments, robust IP68-rated solutions made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel are proving more reliable over time, especially where long-term submersion or mechanical stress is expected.
While often overlooked, these components play a critical role in keeping infrastructure functional during and after extreme weather.
A smarter approach to flood mitigation
Cities and utilities are starting to think differently about resilience. There’s growing recognition that asset-level protection must complement larger mitigation strategies. If the broader system is compromised, individual components still need to hold up under pressure.
Beyond the physical security of cities protecting against extreme weather, there is also a financial incentive. Studies have shown that cities that integrate climate resilience into their planning and operations are better positioned to attract investment, business and talent. It’s clear resilience against climate shocks is not just a safety measure but also a competitive advantage.
As a result, this mindset shift is shaping how new infrastructure is designed and how existing systems are retrofitted. Solutions that were once seen as optional are increasingly considered essential. That includes enclosures engineered to handle the specific challenges of underground and exposed installations.
Planning for what’s next
Infrastructure is designed to last, but reliability now increasingly depends on how well systems perform under short-term environmental stress.
Extreme weather is occurring more frequently than ever. Recent research from NASA has shown how extreme weather conditions, such as floods and droughts, are lasting longer and are more severe, with last year’s figures reaching twice that of the 2003-2020 average. As a result, submersion events that once seemed unlikely are happening more often.
This shift is prompting a more proactive approach to resilience. It means considering how and where equipment is deployed, and ensuring protective measures are suited to those conditions from the outset.
In many cases, that includes reviewing enclosure specifications, particularly for equipment located in moisture-prone or vibration-heavy environments. As well as choosing higher-grade options, like IP68-rated materials, having access to enclosure systems that are configurable, with the right seals, fittings and finishes, enables a project-specific solution without the need for full custom manufacturing. This balance of flexibility and performance is increasingly valuable in resilience-focused projects.
As infrastructure adapts to a changing climate, consistent performance during adverse conditions matters more than ever. Often, the reliability of a system depends not on what’s visible, but on the durability of what’s protecting it.
