Queens Will Keep Flooding Without Federal Infrastructure Funds: Pols

QUEENS, NY – As the U.S. continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Fiona, Forest Hills is still at risk of severe flooding from storms and awaiting upgrades to its infrastructure.

Lawmakers convened in a Flushing town hall meeting to demand money from the federal infrastructure bill, which was passed last year, to upgrade sewers and catch basins in Queens. The request comes weeks after the Queens areas slammed by Hurricane Ida endured flooding once again.

“The lives of so many constituents were turned upside down by the unprecedented flooding and extensive damage from Ida with several Queens residents losing their lives in the storm,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and Councilmember Lynn Schulman in a statement.

“The threat of future floods will continue, which is why we are again calling for immediate action.”

Meng and Schulman, along with New York City’s Chief Climate Officer and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala, are also calling for the city to look into implementing a voluntary buyout program for homes that are at risk of severe flooding during storms.

Rep. Grace Meng, Councilwoman Sandra Ung and officials from the Department of Environmental Protection renewed the call to the city and state on Thursday to use the federal funds.

In June, the House of Representatives passed a key measure to help make Queens more resilient against climate change. The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to spend up to nearly $120 million to work with the city in upgrading environmental infrastructure in Queens.