This can include clearing drains, improving storm barriers and coastal defences, or putting in place planning regulations to discourage development in high-risk areas such as flood plains.
"As much as they can, they can make sure there is an environment where the utility workers can get to the places they need to do the work, " he said, whether that means helping drain tunnels of storm water or clearing roads of debris.
After that storm, the city was criticized for its slow response in clearing side streets and at least one death was blamed on the inability of an ambulance to get through an unplowed street.