Ida's Wrath Cripples Communication, Causes Damage At Glen Cove PD

GLEN COVE, NY — The Glen Cove Police Department dealt with nearly 8 feet of floodwater, extensive structural damage and a crippled telephone communications system last week after Hurricane Ida's remnants pummeled the region with record-breaking rain.

In an interview with Patch, Detective Lt. John Nagle said the rain Sept. 1 "came down in buckets" and brown, murky water filled the department's basement in a matter of hours.

"There was no place for the water to drain, and the water found its way into the stairwell," Nagle said. "It came through the door and through the windows. It was a torrential stream of water that was unstoppable."

Officials said much of what was in the basement — including the gym, library, emergency communication systems and certain police records — were damaged or destroyed during the storm.

At the time, people could not get through to the department's non-emergency line, two officials told Patch. Instead, they would have to call 911 and get in touch with Nassau County's dispatcher, who would then reroute the call to Glen Cove.

Between Sept. 1 and 2, Nagle said the department responded to more than 150 calls.

The flooding was mostly contained to the basement. But if the surging water made it up the steps to the main desk area, Nagle said the department wouldn't be in operation.

All the floodwater has since been pumped out of the basement. But the damage it caused is still being throughout the station.

According to Nagle, the landlines used to get in touch with personnel aren't all up and running yet. It may be at least another day or two before the phones are fixed.

"Hopefully, we don't see anything like this again," he said.