Recent downpours have resulted in severe flooding in areas of Bensonhurst and other parts of southern Brooklyn, creating a cause for alarm among residents and local politicians.
Last week’s downpours resulted in murky, knee-high rainwater collecting in areas such as the intersection of Bay Parkway and 86th Street in Bensonhurst, leading Assemblymember William Colton and other politicians to request that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conduct an investigation into the matter.
“This is an outrageous situation endangering the seniors, young children, and people of the community,” said Colton. “The downpour created extremely dangerous conditions where water levels reached the knees of the pedestrians caught out in the flooded streets.”
“We really need to take a look at the conditions of our catch basins and sewers. We need to check the outfalls; where is the storm water heading down?” said Councilmember Mark Treyger. “There is a great need for an assessment of our infrastructure. We need to find out right now before things get worse.”
Treyger said that floodwater also obscured parts of train station staircases, as well as areas of Coney Island, such as the intersection of Stillwell And Neptune Avenues, and the intersection of Stillwell and Mermaid Avenues.
Politicians were initially alerted to the issue after receiving photographs from community residents via social media.
“We have not had rain like that this season. It has primarily been a dry season, but with the amount of rain that came down so quickly, that intersection [Bay Parkway and 86th Street] looked like a river,” said Community Board 11 District Manager Marnee Elias-Pavia, “We have never seen flooding like that at 86th Street. We are awaiting a determination by the agency [DEP].”
Elias-Pavia advised business owners and property owners to make sure that catch basins are clear to accept rainwater in the event of a heavy storm.
By press time, DEP had not responded to a request for comment.