"Police say the man, known by neighbors as Aaron, became trapped when floodwater poured into the basement apartment near Rutland Road and Kingston Avenue. Investigators say he was staying in the unit for some time. Neighbors tell News 12 that Aaron was attempting to rescue his pets. They say he managed to save one dog and one cat - but went back inside to reach two more animals and never made it out."
"Former building owner Oates, who still helps maintain the property, said the basement unit wasn't regulated but that he had been letting Aaron stay there. "He didn't bother anyone," Oates said. "He was a good guy." The Department of Buildings has since issued a partial vacate order for the cellar. Inspectors say the space is now unsafe to occupy."
"Residents say flooding on that block is a long-standing problem. "If you know it's gonna rain, don't park your car at that corner," said neighbor Sylvia Elcock-Als, who's lived there for years. "We're the ones clearing out the drains. Something needs to be done.""
A 39-year-old man known as Aaron drowned after floodwater poured into a basement apartment in East Flatbush during record rainfall. Neighbors say he saved one dog and one cat but returned to rescue two more animals and did not escape. The basement unit was unregulated and the former owner had been allowing Aaron to stay there. The Department of Buildings issued a partial vacate order declaring the cellar unsafe to occupy. Residents describe long-standing flooding problems on the block and report clearing drains themselves. The storm caused widespread street flooding and at least one other storm-related death in Manhattan.
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