NYC flooding brought on because sewer system couldn't keep up with intense rainfall, Mayor Mamdani says

A storm flooded parts of Brooklyn and Queens, leaving residents to manage flooded streets, damaged homes, and submerged cars. Thousands lost power, gusty winds toppled trees, and some streets became inundated. The mayor said the city’s drainage system is designed to handle up to two inches of rain per hour, but the storm produced heavier downpours that overwhelmed sewer capacity. Residents in Hollis spent Thursday cleaning flooded basements, clearing downed trees, and removing water from vehicles. The mayor directed people to report damage at reportdamage.nyc.gov and said calling 311 about basement flooding, street flooding, or sewer backup would trigger city help. The city is investing in Cloudburst projects to absorb excess water, while residents expressed fear of additional summer storms.

"Mamdani, who toured some of the damage in Hollis on Thursday, said the drainage system is only built to handle up two inches per hour and it appears the area got a lot more than that. City officials said some of the heaviest downpours overwhelmed the system, far exceeding the limits of what the city's sewer system was designed to handle. Residents were left to deal with flooded streets and damage to their homes and cars after torrential rain and gusty winds moved through the area."

"Mamdani directed overwhelmed residents to the website reportdamage.nyc.gov. He also claimed if residents call 311 about things like basement flooding, street flooding or sewer backup, the city would try to send help. Hollis residents spent Thursday cleaning up flooded basements, cars that were submerged under water, and clearing downed trees. Thousands lost power, trees were toppled and some streets were inundated."

"What needs to happen is you gotta raise these roads, which is complicated because if you raise the roads, you have to raise the homes, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said. Mamdani said the city has invested millions of dollars in a 10-year plan for what are called Cloudburst projects, sites that can soak up excess water and hold it for a day or two. After speaking with local residents, the mayor said some are fearful of the summer because of the storms that typically come with it."

"After speaking with local residents, the mayor said some are fearful of the summer because of the storms that typically come with it. One woman told Mamdani she's had the same experience for 34 years. CBS News New York spoke to a family whose cat died during Wednesday night's storm and who also experienced a very similar flood in 2021, which claimed the lives of two of their neighbors."

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