Some homeowners in Jamaica, Queens struggle with extensive flood damage every time there’s heavy rainfall, and they claim the Department of Environmental Protection is doing nothing to help them. NY1's Susan Jhun filed the following "NY1 For You" report.
Every time there’s heavy rainfall, homeowners on one block in Jamaica, Queens struggle with massive flooding.
“I've replaced my refrigerator four times. I've replaced my dryer four times. I've replaced my freezer four times,” says resident Allison Monroe.
The problems aren’t purely to do with appliances, however.
“We're talking about not just water, we're talking about feces backing up, we're talking about garbage. We're talking about water coming through our tubs, water coming through our toilets,” says resident Kim Lawton.
Residents say the furious flooding that fills their basements with water is the result of poor drainage and runoff from a federal aviation building next door.
“All the water's coming from down 158th Street, it coming around the corner and it splits down the middle of the street. We get that water, we get the water from Rockaway Blvd, we get the water from the federal building,” says resident Bishme Brunson.
Homeowners say there's nowhere for the water to go when the three drains at the end of 159th Street back up quickly.
“We haven't gotten any help. We were told that the congressman was coming out today, you're here, we don't see him. We were told DEP was coming to alleviate some of the water. As you can see, the water's still standing,” says Lawton.
The residents, who claim insurance won't cover them, say the city needs to put more drains in the street.
NY1 called the Department of Environmental Protection and a spokesman said this area is prone to flooding because of the low-lying topography.
The spokesman went on to say DEP has already done extensive sewer upgrades in Springfield Gardens and that the agency is planning to study the feasibility of resolving the persistent flooding issues in this area.
When we asked for a timeframe, however, the spokesman said they have none.
It’s not encouraging news for homeowners who are barely staying afloat.
NY1 will continue to follow this story.
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