The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and outside experts are looking at ways to make the World Trade Center area less vulnerable to flooding, both as construction continues and after it has concluded. Much of the site is built on landfill and the Hudson River is held back by retaining walls.

Hurricane Sandy caused $2 billion of damage to sites managed by the Port Authority, including $800 million for the PATH train system. Construction and increased vulnerability to flooding is likely to continue for at least eight more years.