A flooded home in Hollis last year.
A year ago Sept. 1 the remnants of Hurricane Ida pummeled New York City with a record amount of rainfall, overwhelming our sewers, flooding homes and streets, and killing at least 13 people.
One recourse for homeowners was to file damage claims with the comptroller’s office, blaming the city’s own ancient and sometimes bad sewers for the damage. As my colleague Sam Maldonado and I reported this week for the city, 4,703 people filed for these claims. And every single one was denied.
The comptroller’s office said their hands were tied by a 1907 ruling that doesn’t hold municipal governments responsible for damage from excessive rain. But for the homeowners, many who are still not back home, it felt like an added insult. In some parts of the city, like a few blocks in Hollis, Queens, neighbors say their homes flood when there’s any rainstorm. They’ve wanted the city to fix the sewers or buy them out, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Some are hoping there’s further legal action they can take to get some money, but that can be complicated, as we reported in a follow-up story.
You can read more here and here at THE CITY.
Other interesting reads this week:
Brooklyn could get a majority Asian district — and some Asian groups are objecting [THE CITY]
Maloney floods NYC district with taxpayer-funded mailers ahead of primary, raising ethical questions. [GOTHAMIST]
A look at the ‘Innovation QNS’ plan. [CITY LIMITS]
I’m taking a newsletter break next week. Here are some photos of dogs in transit to hold you over.
Thanks for reading!