Sandy beets

For quite some time now climate change experts have warned of doomsday scenarios with harsh storms, flooding, and general chaos. We’ve all heard the predictions, but no one was prepared for what Superstorm Sandy brought to the northeast seaboard last week. The downgraded hurricane wreaked havoc on cities like Hoboken and New York City, where surge flooding and tropical-force winds left over 8.6 million households without power, and countless buildings destroyed.

How did New York City’s rooftop farms fare? Well, Brooklyn Grange lost an entire apiary – located on a pier adjacent to the company’s Brooklyn location – at a reported loss of over $10,000. According to the company’s website, this value reflects only material losses, and does not include losses in anticipated revenue from the sale of honey. Brooklyn Grange is accepting donations through a Kickstarter campaign to replace the hives and rebuild their apiary program. The company’s website did not report on damage to either of its rooftop row farm locations, although it is reasonable to assume that damages were endured.

Employees and volunteers at Eagle Street Rooftop Farm worked overtime before the storm to prepare for the forthcoming winds, and harvest as much as possible. The farm’s website reported that the roof experienced 70 mph winds and a drop in temperature. Thanks to the roof’s green roof drainage system, most of the damage resulted from high winds, rather than from the multiple inches of rain that fell during the storm period. All chickens and rabbits were safely housed indoors when Sandy struck, and the roof’s remaining crops are beginning to bounce back.

If you’d like to help with New York City’s post-Sandy recovery, please contact these organizations to see how you can contribute.